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Morocco World
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
‘I'm Not a Thief:' Mustapha Lakhsem Banned From Leaving Morocco
Doha – Former kickboxing world champion and Imouzzer Kandar mayor Mustapha Lakhsem is facing some legal trouble. The investigating judge at the Fez Court of Appeal imposed a travel ban against him, following allegations of financial misconduct and public funds misappropriation. Lakhsem appeared Monday before the criminal chamber specializing in financial crimes. The court mandated his provisional release on a MAD 20,000 ($2,000) bail. The judge also prohibited him from leaving Moroccan territory. His next hearing awaits on May 19. The case originated from a complaint filed by four Imouzzer Kandar council members. They accuse the Popular Movement (MP) party member of questionable practices in managing temporary municipal employees. The allegations encompass embezzlement and waste of public funds. Lakhsem promptly addressed the travel ban through his Instagram account. 'I don't understand why the judge made this decision…I'm not a thief, I just wanted to sincerely serve my country,' he stated. He noted that the restriction hampers him professionally, as he routinely travels between Morocco and Europe for his activities. His legal team intends to appeal the decision. Lakhsem declared he will not pay the bail, asserting that doing so would constitute an admission of guilt. 'I could be arrested and that's not a problem, because I haven't done anything illegal,' he added. This represents Lakhsem's continuing legal challenges. His troubles commenced in March 2023 when he publicly accused the provincial governor of pressuring him to award public contracts to specific companies. He requested an audit and contacted the interior minister directly. Governor Omar Touimi Benjelloun responded with a defamation lawsuit. Weeks later, the court summoned Lakhsem and demanded a MAD 50,000 ($5,000) bail for his release. He refused to pay, declaring he would rather go to prison 'than pay a single dirham.' The court eventually withdrew this bail requirement. In March of this year, amid growing tensions, Lakhsem announced his intention to resign as mayor. He cited a 'systematic blockage' impeding all planned development projects for the city. 'I came to work and contribute to the development of my hometown, but certain authorities have stood in my way,' he conveyed. Lakhsem scheduled his official resignation for October 1, after completing ongoing projects and resolving legal disputes. He expressed wanting to depart from office 'with peace of mind and clean hands.' In Imouzzer Kandar, residents remain divided. Some regard Lakhsem as a local hero challenging the system. Others view him as failing to deliver on his promise of change. Several municipal councilors criticize his governance as authoritarian and unpredictable. Some even call for his removal from office. The May 19 hearing may prove decisive for Lakhsem's future. The investigating judge will resume detailed questioning and examine the evidence. If the allegations receive confirmation, other municipal or administrative officials could also face legal consequences.
Ya Biladi
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan opposition weighs no-confidence motion against Akhannouch government
The four opposition parties are considering submitting a motion of no confidence against the government led by Aziz Akhannouch since October 2021. «This political and democratic move will reinvigorate the national debate, which is currently stagnant, and hold the government accountable for its responsibilities», stated the PJD's general secretariat in a communiqué released on Sunday. The party justified this initiative by pointing to «the government's failure to fulfill the commitments outlined in its program». However, the move stands little chance of toppling the Akhannouch cabinet. The Popular Movement, USFP, PPS, and PJD together hold just 100 seats in the House of Representatives, which has a total of 395 members—far short of the absolute majority enjoyed by the ruling coalition of the RNI (102 seats), PAM (87), and Istiqlal (81). This solid majority is further bolstered by support from the Constitutional Union and the Democratic and Social Movement, giving the government ample protection against any no-confidence motion. It's also worth noting that the opposition parties have yet to form any parliamentary inquiry commissions—such as those on Russian diesel imports or subsidies for sheep and cattle importers—in accordance with Article 67 of the Constitution, which requires the backing of 131 deputies. «Inquiry commissions may be established at the initiative of the King or at the request of one-third of the members of the House of Representatives or the House of Councillors», the article states.
Morocco World
02-05-2025
- Health
- Morocco World
Morocco Invests Over $100 Million to Tackle Stray Dog Problem
Doha – Contrary to what Western media have been reporting in recent months about Morocco's intention to eliminate stray dogs, the Ministry of Interior has revealed something completely different. Minister Abdelouafi Laftit announced an ambitious national program with a budget exceeding MAD 1 billion ($100 million) to address the proliferation of stray dogs in Morocco. In a written response to a question from parliamentarian Fadoua Lhayani of the Popular Movement group about 'the phenomenon of stray dog proliferation in Taza city,' Laftit pointed out that stray dogs constitute a major source of transmission for serious diseases such as rabies. While noting that tackling this phenomenon falls under the responsibilities of municipal councils, he confirmed that the ministry provides annual financial and logistical support to local authorities facing a lack of sanitary infrastructure. Since 2019, the Ministry of Interior has signed a partnership agreement with the Ministry of Health, the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA), and the National Order of Veterinarians to adopt an innovative approach based on sterilizing and vaccinating stray dogs against rabies. This strategy aims to control the reproduction of these animals and stabilize their population while respecting animal welfare principles. Animal protection associations are also involved in raising awareness and monitoring sterilized dogs that are returned to their natural habitat. Read also: Morocco Builds Major Shelter in Agadir to Tackle Stray Animal Crisis The ministerial strategy also includes creating and equipping collective or provincial shelters for stray dogs and cats. By the end of November 2024, nearly MAD 80 million ($8 million) had already been mobilized to support this system in several provinces. An ambitious program to create 130 communal hygiene offices has meanwhile been launched to benefit 1,244 municipalities in 53 provinces, at a total cost exceeding MAD 1 billion ($100 million). These offices will be staffed with 260 doctors, 260 nurses, and 260 health technicians, as well as 130 veterinarians who will supervise field interventions and manage animal shelters. On the legislative front, a draft decree implementing Law 56.12, related to the prevention of dangers associated with dogs, is currently being developed. This text will include new regulatory measures while ensuring respect for animal welfare principles. In March 2024, the ministry also activated a convention with the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine to develop oral vaccination methods via food baits. Additionally, within the framework of an agreement signed in 2018 with the Ministry of Health, MAD 40 million ($4 million) are transferred annually to the Pasteur Institute of Morocco to ensure sufficient supply of rabies vaccines and serums, particularly in rural areas. 'Unfounded claims' The government's approach shatters the tired, relentless smear campaigns propagated across social media and amplified by segments of the Western press, which habitually frame themselves as champions of universal rights. Far from post-colonial defensiveness, this pattern has been evident before—as seen during Qatar's hosting of the 2022 World Cup. Whenever an Arab (Eastern) country takes the lead in organizing a major international gathering, a predictable wave of propaganda emerges aimed at tarnishing its image under the guise of human rights concerns and manufactured controversies. Mohamed Roudani, Head of the Department of Health Preservation and Green Spaces at the General Directorate of Territorial Communities, refuted reports as 'completely unfounded.' Speaking to the press last February, he stated categorically: 'There is no campaign to eradicate stray dogs. The claims that Morocco is planning to eliminate three million stray dogs before the World Cup have no basis.' His statement responds to a growing outcry from animal rights groups and activists alleging that Morocco is carrying out mass culls of stray dogs ahead of major tournaments, particularly the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco is co-hosting. Read also: Morocco, Spain, and Portugal Cleared for World Cup 2030, Defying Human Rights Concerns The controversy drew global headlines when renowned primatologist Jane Goodall wrote to FIFA in January, condemning what she described as a planned massacre of three million stray dogs. In her open letter, Goodall 'strongly urged' FIFA to ensure 'the massacres cease' by pressuring Morocco, including potentially suspending the tournament organization. Moroccan influencers launched a social media campaign last month under the hashtag #لا_لقتل_الكلاب (No to dogs' killing), urging citizens to join the initiative and pressure the government to adopt more humane solutions. According to the Moroccan Society for the Protection of Animals and Nature (SPANA), there are currently over 2 million stray dogs in Morocco, with only 14 animal shelters available to care for them. The government maintains that Moroccan local authorities are committed to 'humane and sustainable' solutions in dealing with stray dogs, working in line with international animal welfare standards. They have implemented various measures to ethically control the stray dog population, including building and equipping animal clinics and adopting the TNR (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Release) method. Tags: Culling stray dogsstray dogs in morocco
