Rabat – After King Mohammed VI sacked a number of top officials from the government due to their failure to serve social demands in the city of Al Hoceima, the Hirak Rif movement detainees are now hoping to be released.
The King received a report on the conclusions of the Court of Auditors regarding the Al Hoceima projects dubbed “Manarat Al Moutawassit.” The report caused an “earthquake” in Saad El Otmhani’s government, of which three ministers were dismissed, as well as other officials.
Investigations carried out by the Court of Auditors brought to light imbalances and “serious dysfunction” that led to delays in development projects, intended to curb social disparities and offer employment opportunities for the Al Hoceima province inhabitants.
After the monarch’s decision, Hirak detainees have expressed their satisfaction through a letter sent to Mohammed Ahaddad, a journalist who works for the Moroccan daily newspaper, Al Massae.
The message was sent to the journalist by Nasser Zafzafi and Mohammed Majjaoui, two detained Rif protest movement activists. However, the journalist did not specify how he received the detainees’ letter.
The detainees’ message was posted publicly on Ahddad’s Facebook wall on October 28, which marked the first anniversary of the death of Mouhcine Fikri , a fishmonger who was crushed inside of a garbage truck in 2016. The letter praised the royal initiative that “has interacted positively with the Hirak.”
“The royal initiative that has interacted positively with Hirak, the movement of the sons and daughters of this homeland, reflects a clear determination to put an end to empty promises and delays and laxity in carrying out development projects that led thousands of people to protest for their dignity and the right to life.”
The message added that the initiative “is a communion between the monarchical institution and the will and aspirations of the people.”
The letter also emphasized, “the royal initiative refutes the serious accusations against detainees, which claim that the peaceful protests were unauthorized and carried out in order to undermine the internal security of the state.”
“If the political earthquake occurred as stated in the royal speech during the opening of the new legislative session, this is a new revolution that brings the royal institution together with Moroccan people in order to defend a homeland, in which the dignity of its citizens shall be safeguarded.”
The letter was concluded with a message hope: “And since all of us strive for the good of our nation, we are confident that we can all turn this page and restore the happiness of the Moroccan people, especially the people of the Rif by returning them back to the arms of their families.”
