The residents of the Yusuf Ben Tashfin neighborhood, comprised of veterans, retired military personnel, war prisoners, widows of martyrs, orphans, and rightful claimants, have issued a poignant statement expressing their plight. After four decades of relentless correspondence with various authorities, they now find themselves at a crossroads, where the only options left are justice or recognition of their struggles.
In the statement circulated to multiple parties, they extend their heartfelt greetings to all veterans, military retirees, widows, and rightful claimants who steadfastly cling to their homes. They commend the courage of those who have maintained a heroic sit-in for over 93 days, acknowledging the resilience displayed in this noble protest, which reflects the fairness of their cause. The residents have lived in the military neighborhood since the 1960s, benefiting from housing arrangements that have now been jeopardized. They express their shock at the military housing agency's betrayal, which has broken promises regarding their homes and is now transferring their properties, along with the land, to the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion, effectively rendering them tenants in their own residences.
The statement emphasizes that the interests of the city should not come at the expense of their historical rights. They argue that the years they have spent waiting for legal ownership, exceeding 40 years, should be met with fair compensation, as per the equitable agreements documented in official correspondence. The residents voice their determination to resist any imposition of the status quo, threats, or marginalization, insisting that they either receive decent housing or acknowledgment of their sacrifices that have led to their exclusion and perceived incompetence. They denounce the current approach, which disregards their input in decisions affecting their future, highlighting a blatant violation of the constitution that empowers civil society to act as a mediator and overseer in governance.
Furthermore, the residents criticize the government’s strategic plan for 2022-2026, which emphasizes a 'new generation' of territorial development programs focused on collaboration to enhance local characteristics. They call for rational discourse and the involvement of the community in implementing solutions to rectify the injustices they face. They advocate for direct dialogue to propose constructive solutions that would resolve the situation definitively, warning against the consequences of closing communication and imposing exclusionary solutions. Such actions could strip many residents of their rights, especially given the reliance on a 20-year-old census fraught with inaccuracies.
The residents' demands are clear: they seek either integration into the new architectural planning of the neighborhood or satisfactory compensation due to the military housing agency's failure to uphold its promises from 2001 regarding ownership and the 2007 restructuring agreement with the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion, as well as the 2011 protocols which stipulate restructuring without relocation. They insist that justice for all residents can only be achieved within this broader framework, emphasizing the need for updated census data that recognizes the complexity of households, especially prioritizing widows and vulnerable cases. In this context, they urge all stakeholders—government institutions, political parties, civil society organizations, intellectuals, and journalists—to recognize their historical responsibilities in addressing this significant social issue.
As reported by marrakechalyaoum.com.
