Rabat – Morocco’s moves to end corruption are contributing to the country’s development said Morocco’s Head of Government, Saad Eddine El Othmani.
“The success of the anti-corruption efforts contributes to the achievement of the expected development and to the improvement of the investment and business climate, as well as the living standards of citizens,” said El Othmani, speaking at the House of Councillors in Rabat on Tuesday, January 21.
The government is “strongly committed” to fighting corruption, he stipulated.
However, according to the PM, corruption remains one of the main obstacles hindering the development and stability of Morocco.
Morocco should fight corruption without “any exaggeration or generalization,” noted El Othmani, stressing that the Kingdom has placed the fight against corruption at the heart of its concerns.
The PM recalled Morocco’s adoption of the UN convention on the fight against corruption in 2007, and of the Arab convention on fighting corruption in 2010.
The Moroccan constitution, updated in 2011, is also an illustration of Morocco’s efforts in the fight against corruption. It attaches great importance to good governance and provides for the creation of constitutional institutions for this purpose, added El Othmani.
The country is currently operating the 2016-2025 national anti-corruption strategy.
The plan, based on a participatory and inclusive approach, is “essential for the consolidation of citizens’ confidence in institutions by fighting concretely and continuously against corruption,” according to the official.
The national program has improved anti-corruption services, through upgrading reception facilities in public administrations, launching an electronic website dedicated to complaints, and digitizing administrative services, making them easily accessible online, revealed El Othmani.
The initiative has also strengthened transparency and access to information, and promoted accountability, concluded the head of government.
What do Moroccan citizens think?
While El Othmani is optimistic about the government’s efforts and results in the fight against corruption, some Moroccan citizens have a different opinion.
A report, released by Transparency International in December 2019, revealed that 74% of Moroccans believe that the government is not doing enough to tackle corruption and that politicians are actively involved in bribery and corrupt practice.
“The handling of corruption cases reveals a gap between leaders’ promises and real action. According to the [study] results, one in four Moroccans think most or all judges, magistrates, and police are involved in corruption,” says the document.
More than half of the Moroccans questioned in the survey (53%) believe that institutional corruption is on the rise, added the report.
The study also examined bribery and found that 31% of Moroccan citizens have paid a bribe in the past 12 months.
