Promoting Unity Between Senegal and Morocco

Tivaouane, August 25, 2026 (APS) - At the official ceremony for Gamou in Tivaouane, Serigne Mansour Sy Dabakh, the representative of the General Khalifa of the Tidianes, made a heartfelt appeal for the Senegalese and Moroccan authorities to work together to strengthen the bonds between their nations. He urged both the President of Senegal and the King of Morocco to meet and enhance cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing that Senegal holds a special place as the 'second homeland' for the Moroccan monarch.

Addressing a government delegation led by Interior Minister Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé, who represented the head of state at the Gamou ceremony commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Serigne Mansour Sy Dabakh was accompanied by members of the Sy family from Tivaouane at the residence of the host, Serigne Mansour Sy. His remarks come in the wake of rising tensions following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final held in Rabat on January 18, where Senegal faced Morocco. During this event, several Senegalese supporters were initially sentenced by Moroccan courts but later received a royal pardon.

In response to the heightened tensions, the Sheikh of the Tidjaniyya Brotherhood in Morocco called for respect towards the historical, spiritual, and fraternal ties that exist between Senegal and Morocco. A communiqué issued by Sheikh Mohammed El Kébir Ben Sidi Ahmed Tidjani, the authority of the Tidjani order, indicated that they were closely monitoring the developments related to this sporting final and the reactions observed on social media platforms.

Furthermore, Serigne Mansour Sy Dabakh echoed the sentiments of the Interior Minister during the ceremony by encouraging Senegalese political figures from both the ruling party and the opposition to prioritize dialogue and tolerance. The 2026 edition of Gamou is themed 'Together, Think and Act Through the Word of Unicity (Tawhid)', reflecting a call for unity and understanding among the communities.

Additionally, the religious leader took the opportunity to revisit the history of Mawlid celebrations in Tivaouane, noting that this initiative dates back to 1902 and was initiated by El Hadji Malick Sy and Mame Rawane Ngom from Mpal.

As reported by aps.sn.