Rabat – Abdelilah Benkirane, the leader of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), met with Saad-Eddine El Othmani, Head of Government and Mustapha Ramid, Minister of Justice and Liberties, on Tuesday to discuss a number of issues including the ongoing crisis in Al Hoceima.
The former head of government Benkirane told news outlet Le360 that the meeting was an opportunity to discuss “the situation in Al Hoceima and the government’s action.”
The news site added that the meeting was held also to “review the activities of the PJD party.” Earlier this month, the PJD leader claimed that the party is facing its “most difficult situation ever” and urged the party to find a way out of its current dilemma.
“El Ohtmani and Rmaid came to see me and we have seized the opportunity to talk about various issues,” said Benkirane of the discussion on Tuesday. “The meeting was brief.”
The PJD leader reiterated his previous criticism of the government’s management of the Rif crisis, where the heavy security force deployed against protests have caused widespread outrage.
In June, Benkirane criticized the government for accusing Rif protesters of separatism, calling it a “serious mistake.” The statement signaled a divergence inside the party charged with leading the government.
Protests broke out in Al Hoceima directly after the death of local fish vendor Mouhcine Fikri in October 2016. The incident led to a massive movement of regular demonstrations with a set of social and economic demands, including creating job opportunities for the local youth and building health and higher education facilities.
