Community Outcry Against Quarry Operations in Qalaat al-Sraghna
The Moroccan organization Attac, specifically its Marrakech group, has made a fervent appeal for the immediate and permanent cessation of a stone quarry project located in the Qalaat al-Sraghna region. The organization has labeled this initiative as an "environmental crime," asserting that it poses significant threats to the health of local residents and jeopardizes their food sovereignty. They have expressed solidarity with the residents of the Ouled Rami area, who are actively engaged in ongoing efforts to halt the project.
In a statement, Attac urged the regional governor to initiate a dialogue with the community, acknowledging that the residents are open to such discussions. However, they emphasized that any promises made must be translated into immediate actions. The organization firmly stated that any dialogue that does not lead to tangible measures—most importantly, the removal of the quarry, the release of detained individuals, and the cessation of legal actions—would merely serve as a stalling tactic.
Concerns About Environmental and Agricultural Impact
Attac has categorically rejected the establishment of the quarry within agricultural lands, situated less than 300 meters from residents' homes and their school. The organization views this situation as a reflection of an "existential battle" for the defense of essential resources such as land, water, air, health, and dignity. Initially presented as a "farming estate," the project has been revealed to be industrial in nature, with its management linked to local political figures, including a member of parliament, a community president, and a lawyer. Attac has described this situation as a "collusion of power and capital" that undermines the local population, who primarily depend on subsistence agriculture and livestock farming.
The organization has highlighted that the area, home to approximately 1,300 residents, features a valley that sustains a fragile water table in a semi-arid region. They have raised alarms about the potential negative impacts of the quarry on water resources and soil quality, alongside the destruction of olive trees, which threatens local food security. The community has been engaged in peaceful protests since February 2024, utilizing sit-ins and petitions to voice their opposition, amidst a conflict concerning a traditional access route that resulted in legal prosecutions against several residents, despite presenting evidence of their innocence.
Moreover, the organization noted a public forces intervention on March 24, 2026, which aimed to clear the road and led to injuries among community members, including women and a child. This intervention also resulted in the detention of five individuals, including a minor, which the organization deemed a violation of defense rights. On April 2, the residents organized a 35-kilometer march toward the local government and courthouse, coinciding with a remote trial of the detained individuals, with the case adjourned until April 9. This situation has raised concerns regarding the guarantees of a fair trial.
Attac has called for the immediate release of detainees, compensation for damages, and the withdrawal of legal actions against the community. They have also reached out to various human rights, labor, political, and environmental organizations to stand in solidarity with the residents and attend the session on April 9, asserting that this issue transcends local concerns and raises questions about environmental and social justice in Morocco.
As reported by ar.telquel.ma.
