Zoumi Calls for Transparency in Union Property Transactions
A close associate of trade unionist Khadija Zoumi revealed that as soon as her name surfaced in the controversy surrounding the sale of properties owned by the General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), particularly the sale of the "Solidarity, Cooperation, and Social Assistance Association" headquarters near Sefrou, she sought advice from judicial experts on how to address the "dubious manner in which her name was mentioned." The source added that Zoumi strongly supports the intervention of the public prosecutor and the initiation of a judicial inquiry to present the necessary information.
Zoumi's name was brought up during a press conference in Fez, presided over by the regional secretary of the UGTM, Idriss Ablahad, who claimed that the president of the Women’s Organization of the Independence Party, who previously led the association, oversaw the sale of this headquarters, which served as a social institution for the members of the union arm of the Independence Party.
When questioned about the specifics of the sale that implicated a prominent independence leader in the ongoing turmoil against Secretary-General Miara, the same source clarified that "the sale was conducted through the court via a public auction due to a debt of 95 million dirhams associated with this property." The creditor sought their rights, and when no agreement was reached, the court ruled in their favor.
The source elaborated, saying, "At the onset of the auction, an amount was proposed that fully covered the debt, prompting Secretary-General Niame Miara to intervene for an amicable settlement by suggesting another entity purchase the property for a sum exceeding the debt amount." It was noted that the additional funds collected were delivered in the form of promissory notes to the general union by a judicial officer, ensuring the transaction adhered to legal standards.
Furthermore, the source mentioned that "the association was dissolved at the time and had ceased all activities, leading to the transfer of its assets in accordance with the law." This situation dated back to 2019 and was ratified in the general council of the union and at the conference, indicating that all actions were carried out legally. The source remarked, "The public prosecutor can issue orders to reopen this matter, and all details will be documented in official records held by the union."
The source also denied knowledge of other properties mentioned in the same conference that Secretary-General Miara allegedly sold, stating that "the notification process within the executive office was not respected by Miara. However, responsibility must be associated with accountability, and all these issues can be reviewed in a comprehensive manner that reveals all pertinent information."
The General Union of Moroccan Workers is currently experiencing a "severe organizational storm," coinciding with growing calls for an extraordinary conference to oust the current leadership or to reassess how the union central is managed. These movements come against a backdrop of internal tensions fueled by allegations of financial and administrative mismanagement, particularly regarding real estate and properties belonging to the union organization.
This 'corrective' movement, as described by a source from the discontented factions, places Secretary-General Niame Miara in a direct confrontation with internal factions who believe that the current phase requires 'fresh blood.' They assert that "the call for an extraordinary conference has become an urgent necessity to maintain organizational unity amidst the heightened tensions that had been simmering quietly within the union before erupting into an open crisis."
Conversely, other voices within the union, who remain steadfast in their support for the Secretary-General, argue that these "accusations are merely opportunistic claims," emphasizing that "those behind them were recently close associates and beneficiaries of privileges, which previously led them to accept the status quo before a sudden shift in their positions occurred after those interests faded away."
According to exclusive sources consulted by Hespress regarding this pressing issue in the political and union landscape of the country, the Secretary-General of the Independence Party and Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, maintains his stance against interference in the matter or attempts to find a solution to the crisis, fearing its repercussions on the party's standing in the upcoming elections.
As reported by hespress.com.
