The Royal Elcano Institute in Spain has issued a stark warning regarding the potential for a social explosion in Morocco, attributing this risk to deep-seated imbalances in the country’s economic and developmental model. The Institute emphasizes 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; rather, it was a significant expression of severe economic distress.

In an insightful article, this Spanish research center, which specializes in international affairs, points out that approximately 70,000 Moroccans who surged into Ceuta on July 30 and 31 were not fleeing from war or natural disasters, but were driven by a profound lack of hope for employment or vocational training. This situation serves as a stark indicator of the depth of the social crisis currently facing the nation.

The Institute highlights the stark contrast between the economic indicators touted by the Moroccan government and the grim realities of the job market. The youth unemployment rate has soared to an alarming 37%, with a staggering 230,000 out of 400,000 Moroccans reaching working age last year being neither employed nor engaged in education or training. This statistic underscores the dire employment situation that many young Moroccans are grappling with.

Additionally, the Institute criticizes what it describes as a weak private sector and the entrenchment of a 'crony capitalism' model, pointing to the dominance of the state and large corporations over vast sectors of the economy. It notes the limited competition and the struggles faced by small and medium-sized enterprises in terms of growth and job creation, further exacerbating the employment crisis.

Social and regional inequalities are another focal point of concern, with the Institute condemning the deterioration of public health services in Morocco. The ongoing challenges in these areas signal a potential for new crises in Ceuta, or even more critically, a broader social explosion within Morocco itself.

In conclusion, the Royal Elcano Institute asserts that the future stability of the Kingdom is precariously linked to an unsettling reality: millions of young Moroccans are deprived of the basic conditions for a dignified life.

As reported by aps.dz.