Moroccan Court Delays Decisions on Dismissal Requests for Local Officials
Fez, Morocco – The Administrative Court of Fez has postponed decisions on several requests to dismiss local officials accused of violations and irregularities. The cases, brought forward by regional governors, highlight the ongoing struggle to maintain accountability and transparency within Morocco’s local governance.
The court began hearings on Thursday, September 6th, 2024, reviewing requests filed by the governors of both Boulmane and Midelt provinces. The cases involve officials from two separate municipalities: Skoura M’Daz in Boulmane and N’Zala in Midelt.
In Skoura M’Daz, the governor has requested the dismissal of the municipal president and a deputy, alleging breaches of conduct. These requests, submitted on July 26th, 2024, are supported by detailed files outlining the alleged violations. Similarly, the governor of Midelt is seeking the removal of the N’Zala municipal president and three other members, citing similar concerns. The court began reviewing these four cases on September 6th, 2024, but has yet to reach a verdict.
This wave of dismissal requests follows a pattern of increased scrutiny on local officials in Morocco. Just a day prior, the Fez court postponed decisions on three similar cases involving officials from the Imzouren municipality in Al Hoceima province. These cases, also initiated by the regional governor, are scheduled for further review on September 10th, 2024.
The court’s decision to delay its rulings underscores the complexity of these cases and the need for a thorough examination of the evidence. The outcomes of these hearings will have significant implications for the involved municipalities and could potentially set precedents for future cases concerning local governance in Morocco.
