Maghreb Edition

Moroccan King fires junior ministers: leadership or scapegoating?

Posted On 3 November 2017

Number of times this article was read : 312

The North Africa Journal – November 3, 2017 – [Photo:  State auditor Driss Jettou making case against ministers before Moroccan King, leading to dismissals]   In a surprise move, King Mohammed VI dismissed some junior ministers and other officials, allegedly as a result of lack of progress in pushing for economic development in regions affected by popular unrest. Those dismissed included Mohamed Hassad, Minister of Education, Nabil Benabdallah of planning and housing and El Houcine Ouardi of health. A state secretary, a public enterprise Chief Executive (Ali Fassi Fihri of the power and water company ‘Office national de l’électricité et de l’eau potable’ or ONEE), and 14 high-level state employees were also fired.

The King’s decision was made apparently as a result of work from an committee set up by the King to probe the delays in rolling out the economic agenda for the restive region of the Rif’s al-Hoceima, an economic program that was initiated in 2015. The region has been the center of protest over the past months after the death of a fishmonger whose fish was confiscated by police and then crushed to death in a garbage truck. The King’s decision came after meeting with top state auditor, former Prime Minister Driss Jettou, who contributed to the assessment of the situation (cour des comptes). Several former ministers where also blacklisted and said to have been indefinitely banned from holding senior government positions.

The North Africa Journal's WhatsApp Group
.

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Benin Soldiers Mount Brief Coup Attempt

In the span of a few hours on December 7, a small group of soldiers in Benin, West Africa, moved from night‑time attacks on senior officers’ homes to a televized announcement claiming they had removed President Patrice Talon and suspended the constitution. Forces loyal to the government swiftly retook the national broadcaster and key positions in Cotonou, and authorities now say the coup attempt has been defeated even as some officers remain missing and questions about the mutineers’ support network persist.

EU–Morocco Tomato Dispute Deepens Over Western Sahara Labeling

A new agricultural agreement between Morocco and the European Union has ignited a tense dispute over tomato imports, origin labeling, and Western Sahara. European farmer groups accuse Moroccan exporters of unfair competition and misuse of labeling rules, while Moroccan producers argue that they are simply meeting a growing EU demand that local producers cannot fully supply.

Tunisia’s Main Union Calls Nationwide Strike Amid Political Tensions

Tunisia’s largest trade union, the UGTT, has called a nationwide general strike for January 21, 2025, to protest growing pressure on critics and the suspension of traditional wage talks with the government. The move marks a sharp escalation in a country where the union once brokered democratic compromise but now warns that political centralization, economic hardship, and stalled social dialogue are pushing Tunisia toward a new period of instability.

Written by The NAJ

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.