Maroc-Sénégal : Que la passion ne l’emporte pas sur la raison
Never in the millennia-old relations between Morocco and Senegal has an event been as popular as the final for the Africa Cup of Nations, which is being played this Sunday, January 18, in Rabat, pitting the two countries against each other.
This youth festival, which attracts and excites, should not make us forget that while it is indeed a competition, it is also an event, and therefore something limited in time. However, the relationship between Morocco and Senegal transcends time. It is historic, unwavering, and enduring. It withstands the test of time and overcomes adversity.
During my 40-year career as a journalist at the Moroccan Press Agency (MAP), I had the privilege of experiencing these relationships firsthand and in depth. At a time when everything was tense for Senegal, it was Morocco that was there. Like a soldier on guard, it stood watch. I witnessed this firsthand. In the Casamance conflict, the Moroccan army was the only foreign army to intervene, not in the fighting itself, but in helping to clear contaminated areas of mines. Moreover, until recently, Morocco, along with France, was one of the only two states present in all sectors of national life in Senegal: education, health, security, the economy, and so on. On several occasions, prominent Moroccan figures reiterated that everything they do in Africa will be done with Senegal, but never without Senegal.
Furthermore, Senegal has long been the primary destination for Moroccan foreign investment. The diplomatic sphere speaks for itself, given its limited scope.
The various regimes that have succeeded one another in Senegal since 1960 have preserved these very special relations. From President Léopold Sédar Senghor to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, including Presidents Abdou Diouf, Abdoulaye Wade, and Macky Sall, Morocco-Senegal relations have always been stable, consistent, and harmonious. It is also encouraging to note that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is working to strengthen these relations. Even though he has not yet made an official visit to Morocco, since he came to power, there have been regular exchanges of official visits by members of the government and high-ranking civilian and military figures to both countries.
As someone once said, "the only problem between Morocco and Senegal is that there is no problem between them."
Let's refuse to give space to those who are stirring up trouble to challenge these relationships!
Let the emotion and passion of this beautiful football celebration not make us forget the unique nature of these relationships which defy all understanding.
Ibrahima Cissé
Former journalist at the Maghreb Arab Press (MAP) agency in Dakar
Commentaires (4)
Les Sénégalais y bénéficiaient souvent d’un traitement de faveur par rapport à d’autres nationalités africaines, au point de susciter parfois des jalousies.
Dès lors, pour une compétition de football qui se répète presque tous les deux (2) ans, il n’est pas nécessaire de ternir cette belle relation.
Les jeunes qui s’adonnent à des débats sans limites n’ont, à mon avis, pas bien compris les relations historiques qui lient nos deux pays.
Restons dans le cadre du football et terminons cette finale en beauté. Que le meilleur gagne, même si j’espère que ce sera mon cher pays, le Sénégal 🇸🇳⚽. YANLNA SENEGAL AME NDAM
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