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Rabat – Hakim Benchamach, the president of the House of Councilors and native of Al Hoceima’s Bni Bouayach, has written an article for Hespress suggesting the initiatives and steps that should be taken to tackle the Rif crisis.
Benchamach said the first step should be to recognize the legitimacy of the social demands of inhabitants of Al Hoceima and the surrounding region. He said this should be done by focusing on the region’s noticeable lack of development and removing the region’s strong security force presence.
“We demand the abolition of blatant manifestations of security in the region,” he said. “We are unable to find any justification for this intensive presence security – the absolute majority of protesters have proved to the whole world for seven months their peaceful and civilized way of manifesting.”
With government spokesman Mustapha Khalfi’s announcement that the number of arrested activists has reached 86, Benchamach demanded that these arrests stop.
“At critical moments, the State should behave how a mother does towards her children, regardless of whether they are wise or foolish. We demand the halt of the pursuit and prosecution, and that a fair trial is guaranteed to any arrested activist, thus allowing the possibility of a petition to be launched to the King to grant a supreme pardon for detainees after the protests.”
The member of the Modernity and Authenticity Party (PAM) continued to request the government officially announce the implementation plan of the development projects and programs, including that of Manarat Al Moutawassit, in which fourteen governmental sectors adhered in front of the King to its implementation within 2019.
“We are sure that the projects respond to the economic and social demands of [Rif] population.”
Benchamach went on further, saying that the “Manarat Al Moutawassit” program is not adequate for the young Al Hoceima residents who aspire to have job opportunities to maintain their dignity.
The president concluded that the residents were calling upon the government for two things. Whilst they wanted the launch of a supplementary program, they also wanted the government “to organize a national conference in Al Hoceima to discuss solutions to improve the investment climate in the region and discuss formulas to stimulate private investors.”
