King Mohammed VI of Morocco Grants Pardon to Senegalese Supporters

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has granted a royal pardon to a group of Senegalese football supporters who were imprisoned following incidents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN).

Key points

• The supporters were detained in Morocco after unrest occurred during the tournament held between December 2025 and January 2026.
• Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye expressed gratitude to the Moroccan monarch for the gesture of clemency.
• The release is timed to allow the individuals to return home in time for the Eid al-Adha (Tabaski) holiday.
• The pardon is being framed as a demonstration of the enduring diplomatic and fraternal ties between Senegal and Morocco.

Why it matters

The royal pardon serves as a significant diplomatic gesture that reinforces bilateral relations between Senegal and Morocco during a period of regional political transition.