Nizar Baraka Re-Eelected as Al Istiqlal Party’s Secretary General for 2nd Term

Rabat – Moroccan Minister of Equipment Nizar Baraka was re-elected as the Secretary General of the Al Istiqlal (Independence) Party on Sunday.

Baraka was unanimously re-elected in the early hours of Sunday in Bouznika, near Rabat, where the voting process during the first session of the party’s National Council took place.

Baraka was the sole candidate running for the position after politician Rachid Afilal withdrew his candidacy for the secretary-general position.

Following his re-election, Baraka commended the efforts made by all members of the party for making this “historic milestone” a “success” and for renewing the confidence in the collective project initiated during the party’s 17th congress.

Baraka also expressed determination to continue implementing the project by outlining the next steps to improve the party’s performance, positioning, influence, as well as its effectiveness in serving the country and its citizens.

The politician emphasized the implementation of the recommendations of the 18th congress within the framework of a new strategy that clearly defines the objectives and action plans.

He said the implementation will make the party ready for the upcoming elections and continues to act to reinforce and expand reconciliation and trust within the party.

“These recommendations and conclusions involve the consolidation, promotion and enrichment of the egalitarian reference,” Baraka explained%. He further added that this places it at  “the forefront of intellectual and political references that provide innovative and appropriate solutions to the needs of citizens and the aspirations of the development, solidarity and progress of the country.”

Born in 1964 in Rabat, Baraka joined the Faculty of Law at Mohammed V-Agdal University, where he obtained a degree in econometrics in 1985.

He also studied at  the University AixMarseille in France where he earned a PhD in economics in 1992. 

Baraka joined the Istiqlal Party in 1981 and was elected the party’s National Council member in 1989, Central Committee member in 1998 and Executive Committee member in 2003. 

Following these appointments, he was elected as a secretary-general of the party in 2017.