Political Silence and Unanswered Questions in Morocco
In a rare moment of candor among Moroccan politicians, Abdelilá Benkirane, the former Prime Minister of Morocco and leader of the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party, has boldly brought attention to the events that transpired in Ceuta at the end of July. His inquiry, directed at none other than King Mohamed VI himself, raises significant questions that have remained unaddressed by the monarchy. "I have asked His Majesty the King. We must know what happened. Who orchestrated all this? Was it someone from outside or someone from within? How did it happen on the very day of the Throne Day celebrations?" These poignant questions were revealed in a recent social media post that quickly garnered attention.
Benkirane expressed that such inquiries are made out of respect for the monarchy, emphasizing that there is no malicious intent behind them. However, he lamented that there has been no response to his questions, leaving many to wonder if they will ever be answered. This silence speaks volumes, particularly in light of the tragic events that resulted in over 140 lives lost during a mass migration attempt into Ceuta, which has led many to speculate about the underlying causes of such desperation.
The former Prime Minister's remarks resonate with the sentiments of many Moroccans who share his concerns privately or on social media platforms. He suggested that the tragedy may not be solely attributed to the criminal organizations that both Moroccan and Spanish authorities have blamed, but could instead implicate local actors as the root cause. As the tragic events unfolded, Benkirane witnessed firsthand the influx of young people heading toward the Ceuta border, highlighting the desperate circumstances that led them to risk their lives.
Calls for Accountability and Investigation
In light of the tragedy, Benkirane called for the establishment of an "impartial and transparent national investigation commission" to publicly disclose its findings, identify those responsible, and propose measures to address the democratic deficiencies that encourage irregular migration among youth. However, despite his calls for action, no such commission has been formed. Meanwhile, the public prosecutor's offices in Tétouan and Nador have initiated their own investigations, resulting in the processing of 86 individuals for illegally crossing the borders of Ceuta and Melilla.
The official press has portrayed Benkirane's statements as an affront to the king, yet his demand for accountability aligns with legitimate concerns within a state where the exercise of power should be subject to scrutiny. Critics, including Ali Anouzla, the director of the independent newspaper Lakome, argue that seeking the truth and determining accountability is a critical aspect of governance in Morocco. In contrast, other political parties have refrained from asking probing questions, with historical parties like Istiqlal calling for a national assessment of the events.
As the mourning continues for the victims of the maritime tragedy, Benkirane has refrained from expressing condolences to the families of the deceased, adhering to the unspoken rule that such gestures should only be made when the king does so. The only expressions of sympathy have come from the Justice and Charity movement, which is tolerated but not legally recognized in Morocco, offering heartfelt condolences and prayers for the victims and their families.
While the Spanish government initially expressed sorrow over the tragedy, their silence on the matter has persisted as the depth of the disaster became clearer. The President of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, did extend condolences after meeting with King Felipe VI. Yet, it is anticipated that King Mohamed VI may never publicly address the grieving families, despite plans to visit a mosque named after his grandfather in Castillejos. Such a visit, while significant, would hardly suffice as a gesture of solidarity for the families of those who perished during the harrowing attempt to reach Ceuta.
As reported by elconfidencial.com.
