Rabat - June 24, 2013 (MAP)
Rabat – June 24, 2013 (MAP)
The editorials of the Moroccan dailies issued on Monday address various subjects, particularly the effects of the current government crisis, bilateral free-trade agreements between Morocco and countries or economic blocs, the management of communal affairs and the fight against trafficking in persons.
Under the title “Between Youssoufi and Benkirane”, Assabah writes that since its taking over the management of the country’s affairs, the current government, stemming from the ballot box, has produced a variety of speeches on good governance, the fight against corruption and rent-seeking, as well as on “crocodiles and demons.”
The Benkirane government found itself surrounded by the large promises made during the electoral campaign, but instead of endeavouring to honour them, especially in socio-economic areas, it began to look for a scapegoat to justify its failures.
The editorial, which recalls that the Youssoufi-led government had also complained at the beginning of its mandate about pockets of resistance to change without however abandoning the fight against these pockets, notes that the situation has been reversed with the arrival of PJD ministers, who instead of discussing barriers to the implementation of reform projects, have poured oil on the fire, making relationships between the majority components more complicated.
What threatens politics today is seeking to justify by whatever reason failure and inability to implement promised reforms, it warns.
Under the title “unused tools”, Aujourd’hui le Maroc writes that “the option taken by Morocco for years in terms of its economic openness is irreversible,” adding that “it is not just a choice but a quasi-obligation.”
“Morocco is a partner of major blocs such as the EU and must therefore abide by their high standards,” it says.
According to it, the Kingdom “is doing well in complying with the rule of law and international commitments.”
The editorial indicates that the free trade agreements signed to date by Morocco are part of this openness package.
As far as the management of communal affairs is concerned, L’Economiste writes that “the inability to optimize staffing in communes is one of the most egregious examples of the extravagant lifestyle of the State”, noting that “for a long time governments that have succeeded have preferred to avoid the problem so as not to have to deal with a labour or a political crisis.
Attajdid addresses the fight against trafficking in persons, insisting that it is now imperative to enhance national mobilization for the consolidation of the legal framework in the fight against this scourge at all levels.
It also stresses the need to implement an integrated national strategy that involves the components of Moroccan society instead of banking solely on the role of the state in this area.
In another subject, Le Soir Echos points out that several reports citing Morocco have just been published, adding that “this composite image which has the merit of showing the different facets of the country is a an indicator, among others, of our perception by the rest of the world but also of our achievements to date.”
“As such, it encourages us to focus on our society, while respecting its fragility, that is its openness, tolerance and diversity and enhance its strengths, namely its cohesion, its youth and its untapped potential.”