The prosecutor general at the Casablanca Court of Appeal announced the commencement of an investigation following allegations made by Mohamed Ouzzine, the secretary-general of the Popular Movement (MP), regarding purported attempts to hack into his mobile phone. Ouzzine voiced these concerns during a press conference held last Sunday in Berrechid, a locality situated near Casablanca, where he expressed his apprehensions about phone hacking and surveillance attempts aimed at him. Despite the gravity of the situation, he conveyed a sense of resilience, stating, "This does not scare us because we are clean." In light of these serious allegations, the prosecutor has initiated a judicial inquiry to ascertain the veracity of Ouzzine's claims.
Interestingly, Ouzzine refrained from identifying any specific individuals or groups in his allegations, which come at a pivotal moment as Morocco approaches its legislative elections scheduled for September 23. This electoral period has seen various political factions unveil their electoral platforms, with a significant emphasis on pressing social issues, economic support, and reforms in public services. Among these parties, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has announced its ambitious program, which consists of 20 commitments aimed at addressing critical areas such as purchasing power, youth engagement, public service enhancement, strategic security, and fostering economic growth. The party's agenda is a response to the escalating cost of living, challenges in accessing essential public services, high youth unemployment rates, and ongoing concerns regarding rent-seeking behaviors and conflicts of interest.
Additionally, Morocco’s National Rally of Independents (RNI) has also revealed its electoral program, which advocates for a transformative approach to bolster empowerment and economic self-sufficiency. Both PAM and RNI, which were active members of the government coalition under the leadership of Aziz Akhannouch, are actively promoting their respective electoral initiatives amidst a backdrop of increasing political rivalry and exchanges of statements among various parties. This political discourse includes notable figures such as Morocco's current Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, and Fouzi Lekjaa of PAM, both of whom have been vocal in critiquing each other’s positions as part of the broader electoral contest.
In the opposition camp, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) has made headlines with strong remarks from its leader, Abdelilah Benkirane, who has been vociferously critical of Akhannouch’s governance and the policies of RNI and PAM. The PJD has positioned its electoral strategy around the pressing issue of employment, particularly focusing on job creation for the youth. Benkirane has also leveled allegations of financial mismanagement against Akhannouch, demanding accountability for what he describes as the misuse of public funds during his administration.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
