Surge in Child Disappearances Sparks National Debate in Morocco
Recently, Morocco has been rocked by a troubling surge in cases of child disappearances, stretching from the northern to the southern regions of the country. This alarming trend has generated widespread fear and anxiety among the public, prompting urgent questions regarding the underlying causes and motivations behind this unsettling phenomenon. The discussions surrounding these incidents have reignited the national dialogue on improving child protection systems and the pivotal roles played by family, community, and relevant institutions in safeguarding children's rights and ensuring their safety.
In a parliamentary inquiry, Mustafa El Ibrahim, a member of the Justice and Development Party, expressed profound concern over the impact of these heinous crimes, which have not only inflicted deep emotional scars on the families of the victims but have also instilled a pervasive sense of fear among parents. This situation has raised pressing questions about the effectiveness of the existing preventive and punitive measures designed to protect children. Following these incidents, El Ibrahim posed a written question to Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, demanding information on the investigations conducted by security agencies regarding the circumstances surrounding these recent cases. He sought clarification on whether the motives behind these disappearances are linked to criminal networks, exploitation for sorcery, or other factors.
Additionally, the parliamentarian inquired about the official statistics documenting child abductions and disappearances in both the current and previous years, emphasizing the need for geographic distribution analysis. He challenged the Ministry of Interior to outline immediate security and preventive measures to counteract this phenomenon and questioned if there is a plan to establish an early warning system akin to the Amber Alert used in various countries, which would facilitate swift interventions upon reports of any disappearances.
Community Responsibility and Preventive Measures
In response to these growing concerns, Najat Anwar, the president of the "Matqisish Waladi" association, emphasized that the responsibility for the safety and protection of children lies with everyone. She called for heightened vigilance in monitoring children at all times to prevent potential tragedies such as abduction, sexual assault, or even murder. Anwar highlighted the alarming sight of young children playing unsupervised in the streets, cautioning that this not only exposes them to the risk of abduction but also endangers their health as they engage in reckless activities like climbing trees or clinging to moving vehicles. She lamented that many families overlook the fact that children do not possess the same reasoning capabilities as adults, and their inherent curiosity can lead them into perilous situations with dire consequences.
The first case of disappearance reported this year involved 13-year-old Hiba Tigriden, a second-year student from the Ouaouizgt municipality in Azilal. Hiba vanished under mysterious circumstances while heading to school, and her lifeless body was discovered nine days later following an extensive search. An autopsy confirmed that her death resulted from drowning without signs of foul play. Shortly after, on February 25, 2026, another child, 10-year-old Sundus, disappeared from her home in the Krinsif neighborhood of Chefchaouen, shocking her family and the local community. Since her disappearance, security forces, including the Royal Gendarmerie, have been mobilized in an ongoing effort to locate her.
As reported by thevoice.ma.
