Latest news with #Benkirane
Morocco World
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco's Opposition Groups Promise Censure Motion Against Government Over ‘Irregularities'
Rabat – Morocco's opposition parties recently brought up a decision to submit a motion of no confidence against Aziz Akhannouch's government. Initially, opposition parties were set to submit the motion on Monday. Parliamentary commitments and the absence of political parties' leadership members required a postponement to submit a motion of censure until next week. A motion of censure, or motion of no confidence, is an act through which political parties address criticism against the government, its policy, or approach in handling political affairs. Opposition groups in Morocco already filed the draft of the motion on Sunday and intend to submit it to the House of Representatives by next week, which will allow them to collect enough votes. Morocco's Constitution guarantees the parliamentary opposition the right to monitor government action, including through motions of no confidence, the interpellation of the government, oral questions, and within the framework of parliamentary inquiry commissions as stipulated in Article 10 of the Constitution. The same article emphasized how opposition groups are required to contribute 'actively and constructively to parliamentary work.' For months, opposition leaders have been criticizing Akhannouch's government for what they perceived as dysfunctions and inefficiency in handling internal affairs. The leader of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), Abdelilah Benkirane, has been calling on Akhannouch to step down, citing his alleged involvement in controversial government contracts. In December 2024, Benkirane accused Akhannouch of abusing his power by overseeing the bidding process for a seawater desalination project in the Casablanca-Settat region, which ultimately was a reported conflict of interest, as it benefited a consortium that included Afriquia Gaz, owned by Akhannouch. 'To be honest, this time, I don't see how Mr. Aziz Akhannouch can continue as head of government,' Benkirane said, urging him to 'step down and let Morocco breathe for the next two years,' the PJD head said. Benkirane has also been criticizing and accusing Akhannouch of delaying the reconstruction of for areas devastated by the Al Haouz earthquake. Most recently, the opposition groups have been calling on the government to allow the establishment of a parliamentary fact-finding commission amid growing concerns over the effectiveness of the cabinet subsidies for livestock imports. The Progress and Socialism Party (PPS), which is part of the opposition groups, has been issuing several statements to discuss the concerns over the subsidies for livestock importers. 'The political bureau once again highlighted the significant meaning behind the opposition parties' initiative to have the House of Representatives form a fact-finding commission on the circumstances and impacts of direct subsidies and customs and tax exemptions granted by the government to importers of sheep and cattle,' PPS wrote in April. PPS Secretary General Nabil Benabllah said in March that the tax exemption granted by the government to sheep and cattle importers amounted to $1.38 billion from 2022 to 2024. About 277 importers benefited from these exceptions. The government's official estimate was $31.5 million, according to Benabdallah, who cited Speaker of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi Alami, who announced the alleged official statistics. In a new statement, Benabdellah sharply criticized the government, noting that the cabinet finds itself in a 'genuine political, ethical and legal deadlock in the face of national public opinion due to the scandal involving billions of dirhams it has squandered.' 'This has been done through direct subsidies and tax and customs exemptions that it has granted- and continues to grant to livestock importers on a silver platter,' Benabdellah said in the new statement published on his party's official website. He also criticized the government for the lack of a positive response to the inquiry initiative to uncover the truth over the subsidies granted to the livestock importers. 'Unfortunately, the government found no better way to address this troubling situation than to pressure its parliamentary majority into attempting to downplay – or even thwart and nullify – opposition's constitutionally and legally grounded initiative by submitting a request for an exploratory mission on the same subject,' he said. Benabdellah further asked the government to provide clarification on why the cabinet is avoiding the formation of a commission of inquiry if it is 'truly certain that its support for livestock importers is free of any irregularities.' Tags: Abdelilah Benkirane and oppositionakhannouch
Morocco World
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Benkirane Provokes Fury After Branding ‘Taza Before Gaza' Advocates ‘Microbes,' ‘Donkeys'
Doha – In a controversial speech delivered at a Labor Day event organized by the National Labor Union in Morocco, Justice and Development Party (PJD) Secretary-General Abdelilah Benkirane ignited widespread indignation by labeling Moroccans who prioritize domestic issues over the Palestinian cause as 'microbes' and 'donkeys.' During his inflammatory address on Thursday, May 1, Benkirane targeted supporters of the slogan 'Taza before Gaza'—an expression used by Moroccans who believe national concerns should take precedence over regional conflicts. Taza, a Moroccan city, symbolizes domestic priorities in this context. 'Now there are 'microbes'—yes, I found this name appropriate—they are 'microbes' in 'politics,' 'media,' or in some 'official and semi-official bodies,' going around saying 'we are Moroccans, Palestine is not our business,'' Benkirane declared during the rally. He continued his attack with even harsher language: 'You donkey of the end times, haven't you read history about what happened in Andalusia, where one emirate would say 'not my business' about what was happening in another emirate, until all emirates were eliminated,' adding, 'Even donkeys would be angry if we compared them to you.' The former Prime Minister, who was recently re-elected to lead the Islamist party, insisted that the Palestinian cause holds the same importance as Morocco's southern provinces issue, stating, 'If we all need to sacrifice for it, we will sacrifice.' He went further by calling for Moroccans to be allowed to jihad (fight) in Palestine, leading attendees in chanting, 'Oh state, oh state… what are you doing to us… send us to Palestine to fight the Zionists,' a slogan borrowed from football club fan groups that Benkirane himself described as 'chants from Raja and Wydad factions.' The speech triggered immediate backlash across social media platforms. Within hours, the hashtag '#Taza_before_Gaza' topped trending topics on X in Morocco, accompanied by scathing comments condemning Benkirane's remarks. One X user wrote, 'Has hatred driven Benkirane to insult Moroccans because they put their country first? Those who raise the slogan #Taza_before_Gaza aren't lacking patriotism but are fully aware… while those who respond with 'microbes' and 'donkeys' deserve treatment for their lost leadership complex. The people's voice should not be insulted… and whoever insults it must be held accountable.' Read also: Hamas Notably Absent from PJD Congress Despite Initial Invitation Another commented, 'Of course, because his electoral credit is empty of any program except Palestine… therefore, any Moroccan who cares about Morocco's affairs first doesn't represent the target group of this party… he also tries to demean Moroccans to shake their self-confidence, because self-esteem prevents Moroccans from submitting to foreign agendas.' Amazigh activist Amina Ben Cheikh Oukdourt sharply criticized the former government head in an article widely circulated across news outlets. She described his behavior as 'unbecoming of a man who was once prime minister' and characterized his speech as 'dangerous, exclusionary, hate-filled, anti-homeland, dictatorial and divisive.' Responding to Benkirane's 'donkey' insult, Ben Cheikh pointed out that in Amazigh popular culture, the donkey symbolizes patience, diligence, and hard work—qualities she suggested were lacking in 'some politicians who have lost their way and their ability to persuade except through shouting and insults, like Benkirane himself.' 'My message to what remains of Benkirane's mind: We Moroccans, whether you like it or not, are free citizens with the ability to think, make decisions, and choose. We are not tools in your exclusionary discourse game. We have the right to say 'Taza before Gaza,' as His Majesty the King said before us, meaning 'Morocco first,'' Ben Cheikh wrote. As Morocco approaches its next electoral cycle, critics view Benkirane's inflammatory rhetoric as an attempt to mobilize his base by exploiting the Palestinian cause, rather than addressing substantial domestic issues that might win voter support. Tags: Abdelilah BenkiraneGazaJustice and Development partyPJD
Al Bawaba
29-04-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
du becomes the first operator in the region to partner with FreeMove Alliance to enhance global connectivity solutions
du, the leading telecom and digital services provider, today announced a partnership with FreeMove Alliance, the global mobile telecommunications alliance between Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telia, and TIM. du is the first in the region to partner with FreeMove, marking a significant enhancement in its service offerings to multinational corporations (MNCs). The collaboration aims to expand accessibility to premier telecommunication services worldwide, ensuring MNCs have the best possible support as they navigate global Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, said: "We are thrilled to join forces with the FreeMove Alliance, marking a milestone in our journey to provide comprehensive global connectivity solutions. This partnership will help us enhance our service portfolio and strengthens our mission to serve the international business community with unparalleled telecommunications support."The partnership heralds an exciting expansion of FreeMove Alliance's reach into the Middle Eastern market, offering substantial benefits to both the alliance's operators and their international clientele engaging in business activities within the region. Furthermore, it propels du into the global arena, enabling the company to grant its multinational customers unparalleled access to some of the foremost mobile networks and services across Europe and globally, all while maintaining a robust relationship with their trusted telecommunications Avdagic Tisljar, General Manager of FreeMove Alliance, said: 'We are very excited to welcome du as part of our alliance, a trusted partner that will help us strengthen our presence in the Middle East and ensure that our multinational customers enjoy seamless, top-notch mobile connectivity.'Through this partnership, du extends FreeMove Alliance's influence in the Middle East, creating a gateway for enhanced global connectivity. du's multinational customers can tap into the elite tier-one operators in Europe and the USA, benefitting from FreeMove Alliance's expansive global network. In addition, customers will gain from the alliance's advanced enterprise mobility solutions, offering centralized management benefits and comprehensive global business support. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba ( Signal PressWire is the world's largest independent Middle East PR distribution service.
Morocco World
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Benkirane Slams Attempted Ban on Hamas Visit as ‘Shameless'
Rabat — Secretary General of Morocco's Justice and Development Party (PJD), Abdelilah Benkirane, fiercely denounced a demand by a human rights association urging Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit to prohibit the party's national congress over its invitation to members of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, calling the request 'a great display of shamelessness.' During his opening address at the regular meeting of the PJD's General Secretariat, Benkirane declared that hosting Hamas at the congress would be 'a great honor,' reaffirming the widespread Moroccan backing for the Palestinian resistance. He went further, asserting that those demanding Hamas's exclusion should themselves be subject to investigation, particularly in light of King Mohammed VI's position equating the Palestinian cause with Morocco's own national cause, emphasizing that Moroccans hold Palestine with the same regard reserved for Morocco's territorial integrity. He went on to salute the perseverance and sacrifices of the Palestinian resistance — including the martyrdom of its leaders, fighters, and countless civilians under Israeli bombardments in Gaza, the West Bank, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and beyond. He stressed that the Palestinian cause remains a defining issue for the Arab and Islamic world, transcending geography. Speaking on the dire catastrophe in Gaza, Benkirane said, 'What is happening breaks our hearts. We are astonished by the sheer capacity of this criminal, Netanyahu, to kill daily, to starve an entire population, to deprive them of food and medicine, and to target journalists.' He described the broader state of the Islamic Ummah as one of deep humiliation, lamenting it as a tragic and disgraceful reality where 'we have reached levels of absurdity never thought possible.' Benkirane also condemned reports of Israeli ships allegedly docking in Moroccan ports for resupply, decrying such actions as religiously impermissible and morally indefensible. 'It is, of course, also unacceptable for any country — including our own — to allow ships to come and refuel when they're carrying weapons meant to destroy our brothers,' he said, condemning both the policy and the complicity that enables it. 'There are limits,' he warned . In closing, he addressed King Mohammed VI directly, invoking his role as Chair of the Al-Quds Committee and Commander of the Faithful. Benkirane called on the King to intervene and take a firm stance to stop the ongoing massacres and atrocities that, he insisted, 'none of us can accept.' The PJD's 9th National Congress is scheduled for April 26–27. Notably, Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch is not expected to attend. Hamas, established in 1987 during the First Intifada, arose in response to Israeli force aggression. Its armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, was founded in 1992 to conduct armed resistance against Israeli occupation. The group's 2017 charter reaffirms that its struggle is against the Israeli state and the Zionist movement — not Jews as a people — countering frequent accusations used to deflect attention from the systematic oppression, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing faced by Palestinians at the hands of the entity. Tags: death toll in GazaIsrael war crimesmorocco palestinePJD
Arabian Business
31-03-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
du launches new roaming package for business users
UAE telecoms firm du has introduced new roaming packagers for international business users. The Business Roamer Plan is aimed at large corporates which need uninterrupted connectivity both nationally and internationally. With a monthly subscription of AED325 ($88), the plan ensures that businesses stay connected while travelling. New du roaming packages The Business Roamer Plan directly addresses this need by providing a combination of 200 incoming roaming minutes, 300 outgoing roaming minutes, and 10GB of roaming data. The plan ensures that corporates can operate from any part of the globe without interruptions. Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, said: 'At du, we understand the demands of modern enterprises that require dependable and extensive connectivity to support their daily operations and stay connected globally. 'Our Business Roamer Plan is tailored to empower these businesses with the tools and services they need as well as seamless connectivity across different locations and time zones.' The new Business Roamer Plan is part of its broader strategy to support large corporates with next-generation, flexible partnership models. Benkirane said: 'Our plan is about providing a lifeline that keeps the business functions smooth and uninterrupted, ensuring leaders can manage their operations effectively, anywhere and anytime'.
