Challenging the Current Governance in Fes
Mohamed Khai, the regional secretary of the Justice and Development Party in Fes and a member of the Fes municipal council, has raised significant concerns regarding the support extended to civil society organizations by the local council, particularly emphasizing perceived instances of corruption associated with the council's leadership. Khai argues that the current discussion transcends the legal roles and functions of civil society as outlined in the constitution and other laws, focusing instead on the council's handling of civil society support since the leadership took office in 2021.
In a continuation of his previous criticism regarding the neglect of the Hassan II Stadium's infrastructure and equipment, Khai noted that civil society organizations have been systematically excluded from the planning stages of the municipality's action program. He stated that the diagnostic phase carried out by a consulting firm was not a genuine assessment. Despite initiatives from various organizations to submit proposals to the Fes municipal office, Khai claims that these suggestions were disregarded and not incorporated into the council's operational plans. This exclusionary approach, he argues, has been particularly evident in how the council has formed mechanisms under participatory democracy regulations, as not all organizations were invited to participate democratically.
Impact of Exclusion on Local Initiatives
Khai has highlighted that the previous council, which served from 2015 to 2021, implemented a procedural guide that defined the approach to supporting civil society organizations. This guide involved a committee that included various relevant sectors and municipal departments to process support requests. Organizations across cultural, social, and sports sectors received annual allocations based on their submitted projects. However, he has pointed out that since the current council's inception, there has been a notable exclusion of these organizations from financial support, extending from 2021 through 2025, leaving many deprived of necessary funding. Initially, the president cited a circular from the Minister of Interior as a justification for this lack of support, but Khai argues that this was merely an excuse for the president's actions.
The absence of funding has adversely affected the cultural, artistic, and sporting activities in Fes, according to Khai. He noted that numerous initiatives, programs, and annual festivals, which were previously conducted in collaboration with the council, have ceased following the new administration's arrival. Despite the opposition within the municipal council raising these issues and advocating for the restoration of support to organizations, Khai believes that the current political climate necessitates a robust civil society role in the upcoming electoral process. He urges civil society to mobilize for political participation and combat the narratives of despair regarding the political landscape, asserting that a vibrant civil society is critical for a successful democratic process.
Khai lamented the broader implications of poor governance, characterized by the exclusion of organizations from community programs and the allocation of resources. He accused the president of creating tailored agreements for select organizations, particularly in sports, which he argues lack a tangible positive impact on community engagement in sports activities. Specific examples include significant financial agreements with sports associations that did not yield the intended results, raising questions about the criteria used for these selections and the overall integrity of the council's support systems.
In light of these concerns, Khai has called for a collective effort from all stakeholders, including political parties, local authorities, and civil society organizations, to ensure that the upcoming election on September 23 serves as a turning point in addressing these governance issues. He emphasized the need for genuine political engagement and accountability to foster a healthier democratic environment in Fes. Moreover, he expressed that the time has come for the nation to embark on a more democratic path, with the opposition ready to scrutinize government performance and present its programs effectively.
As reported by adyare.ma.
