The Moroccan ambassador to Senegal, Hassan Naciri, was prevented from entering the courtyard of the Hassan II Mosque in Dakar on Friday, March 21, 2025. A video of the incident circulated online, showing the ambassador being blocked by Senegalese security agents.
Senegalese authorities clarified that the denial of access was due to a standard security and protocol procedure. The mosque was closed to the public at the time for Friday prayers, and access is restricted once prayers have begun, a rule applied to all visitors regardless of status.
The incident occurred during a period of diplomatic tension between Morocco and Senegal, following Senegal's recognition of the "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic" in late 2024. Moroccan media reported that Ambassador Naciri was attempting to perform prayers at the mosque, which is named after a former Moroccan king.
Officials from both countries have downplayed the event as a procedural misunderstanding, not a deliberate diplomatic affront. The Moroccan embassy has not issued an official statement on the matter.
