Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Moroccan scholar Ahmed Raissouni has called for what he terms a “second Revolution of the King and the People,” against corruption, despotism, and moral decay.
Raissouni’s appeal on social media renews his decades-old call, at a time when the Gen Z youth protests have swept the country, calling for social reform and a dismantling of the government, citing corruption. In this context, the Moroccan scholar said that this time the Revolution of the King and the People is not directed against colonial powers but against the corrupters.
Raissouni, who is the former head of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, said the first Revolution of the King and the People took place in the middle of this century, led by King Mohammed V against colonial presence and its injustices in Morocco.
“Today, as we reach the end of the century, in the reign of King Mohammed VI, we are in desperate need of a second ‘Revolution of the King and the People,’ a revolution that says the corrupters have gone too far.”
For Raissouni, this potential “second revolution” under King Mohammed VI’s leadership should mobilize the people to confront moral, administrative, and financial corruption.
He openly criticized the government, saying that it has been in a predicament since the “electoral coup of 2021,” referencing the Justice and Development Party’s massive defeat in which it lost the majority of its seats during elections.
PJD members accused rivals of buying votes, and since then, party members, including its leader, Abdelilah Benkirane, have criticized the government and blamed it for the deterioration of socio-economic crises in Morocco.
In December 2024, Benkirane demanded the resignation of Akhannouch, citing his involvement in controversial government contracts.
“To be honest, this time, I don’t see how Mr. Aziz Akhannouch can continue as head of government,” Benkirane said, urging him to “step down and let Morocco breathe for the next two years.”
In January, Benkirane reiterated his appeal, urging Akhannouch to step down as the head of government.
“It is time for this government to step down and leave,” PJD quoted Benkirane as saying.
Akhannouch received similar calls in recent days, amid the youth-led protests launched since last week to demand reforms in healthcare and education.
Moroccan citizens have been taking to the streets to condemn the socio-economic gaps, citing government failures under Akhannouch’s leadership.
Raissouni joined the growing chorus seeking a change, and the Moroccan scholar is taking is a step further, asking for strong action to restore the Moroccan people’s trust.
“The second ‘Revolution of the King and the People’ that we need must be founded on faith, honesty, frankness, and rigor,” Raissouni said.
Many citizens are awaiting the much-anticipated speech King Mohammed VI is expected to deliver on Friday. The monarch delivers a speech in the second week of October, which opens the autumn session of Morocco’s parliament.
Many Moroccans have been calling on King Mohammed VI to intervene amid the ongoing protests. GenZ212, one of the movements behind the peaceful protests against dysfunctions, released a public statement last week in which they urged the government’s dismissal – citing the failure of the Akhannouch cabinet to protect purchasing power and ensure social justice.
The movement also called for the dissolution of political parties found complicit in corruption networks.
