Seventeen Senegalese supporters have been imprisoned in Morocco since January 18, following the end of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Their arrest has sparked great concern among their families, who are denouncing, during a press conference held in Rufisque, the lack of legal support and the inaction of Senegalese authorities in this matter.
The families’ spokesperson, Blaise Niang, expressed his worry over the absence of legal assistance for the detainees. According to him, nearly three weeks after their arrest, uncertainty still looms over the judicial situation of these young men, who have yet to meet with a lawyer. Niang also emphasizes that they refuse to undergo a trial without the presence of a lawyer, putting the detainees at high risk of injustice. He reminds everyone that this situation violates the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence, which guarantees that anyone accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty. The families are thus denouncing a lack of legal protection and a deprivation of the detainees’ fundamental rights.
Aïda Diagne, who was part of the group of supporters, also spoke out to recount the unfulfilled promises of the Senegalese authorities. She claims that the authorities had guaranteed the return of the imprisoned supporters in a following convoy after they refused to leave without their friends. However, this promise was never honored, and since then, uncertainty has prevailed. Aïda Diagne highlights the inaction of Senegalese political leaders, including President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the Prime Minister, who have yet to speak up to reassure the distressed families.
The families of the detainees are therefore calling for immediate diplomatic intervention from the Senegalese authorities. They demand the urgent mobilization of lawyers to defend the imprisoned young men and ensure their return to Senegal. “It is high time for Senegalese diplomacy to take action so that these men, who are first and foremost heads of families, can return to their homes and jobs. It was just a match, we won, and it’s time to put an end to this situation,” insisted Aïda Diagne. The detainees are scheduled to appear in court on February 5, but the families remain anxious, waiting for concrete measures for their release.
