Spanish Institute Highlights Risks of Social Unrest in Morocco
The Royal Elcano Institute, a renowned Spanish think tank, has issued a stark warning regarding the potential for a social explosion in Morocco, attributing this to deep-seated imbalances within the country's economic and developmental framework. The institute notes that the mass exodus of tens of thousands of Moroccans to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta at the end of July was not merely a migration crisis but rather a significant indicator of profound economic distress.
In its analysis, the institute elucidates that approximately 70,000 Moroccans who surged into Ceuta on July 30 and 31 were not fleeing from wars or natural disasters, but instead were escaping a bleak job market devoid of hope for employment or training opportunities. This situation underscores the severity of the social crisis that the nation is grappling with.
The report points out a stark contradiction between the economic indicators often cited by Morocco and the real conditions of its labor market, where youth unemployment has soared to a staggering 37%. It highlights that out of 400,000 Moroccans who reached working age in the previous year, around 230,000 were either unemployed or out of education and training programs.
Furthermore, the institute criticizes the frailty of the private sector and the entrenchment of crony capitalism, noting the overwhelming influence of the state and large conglomerates over vast sectors of the economy. This dominance stifles competition and limits the growth potential of small and medium-sized enterprises, which are crucial for job creation.
Social and spatial inequalities are also emphasized, with the report harshly condemning the decline in public healthcare services. The continuation of the current economic model, it warns, could lead to further crises in Ceuta or, more alarmingly, to a "social explosion" within Morocco itself.
In conclusion, the Royal Elcano Institute asserts that the future stability of the Moroccan kingdom hinges on an uncomfortable truth: millions of Moroccan youths are deprived of the fundamental conditions necessary for a decent life.
As reported by al24news.dz.
