I arrived in Dakar with a slight sense of dread. The reason is well-known: the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). What should have been a sporting celebration has turned into a source of tension between Maroc and Sénégal. It is a sentiment that is hard to ignore.
A brotherhood under pressure
My taxi driver, Amadou, a polite man in his fifties, immediately identified me as a Marocain. After a pleasant conversation, he remarked, “Regardless of what happened, Sénégal and Maroc are brothers…“
That “regardless” carries significant weight. While it aims to affirm a bond, it inadvertently highlights the rift. It makes one wonder if a single football match possesses the strength to dismantle years of friendship, or if it simply acted as the final straw for underlying frustrations.
Tensions in the marketplace
The CAN topic lingers like a shadow over every interaction. While shopping for fabric in the Plateau district of the city center, I attempted to negotiate the price. When the vendor quoted 13,000 XOF, I tried to evoke our shared identity: “We are your brothers from Maroc!” Usually, this admission of brotherhood or a shared faith softens prices across the continent. Not this time. Instead, the merchant became defensive and raised the price to 20,000 XOF, essentially signaling that he no longer wished to sell to me.
The call for justice and reconciliation
During my stay, a human rights activist raised a poignant point: “Please, when will you release our brothers held in Maroc?” The detention of Sénégalais supporters following the final is a recurring grievance. Some locals have even admitted to boycotting Marocain businesses, speaking with a bluntness that bypasses diplomatic politeness.
While many still say, “In Sénégal, we love Moroccans very much…“, the statement often feels unfinished. It is followed by an unspoken list of grievances: anger, disappointment, and hurt. One can only hope these complicated emotions eventually fade in both Sénégal and Maroc.
While political leaders and football federations will likely find common ground through shared interests, the emotional wounds of the people heal at a much slower pace. Despite these challenges, my time in Dakar was marked by the genuine kindness and vibrancy of its people, proving that true friendship can still exist without reservations.
