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Combating Corruption in Morocco: Ongoing Debate About Procedures and Causes
Combatting corruption in Morocco remains a controversial issue, with varying opinions on the causes of corruption's prevalence and its effects on the political and economic structure. This was highlighted during a party seminar discussing "Initiatives to Combat Corruption," where participants noted that society has begun to "normalize" corruption, and that some political parties exploit the fight against corruption as an electoral slogan.
Mohammed Al-Ghalousi, the president of the Moroccan Association for the Protection of Public Funds, viewed corruption in Morocco as a structural phenomenon used as a means to control society and entrench authoritarianism. He emphasized that the absence of democracy and weak accountability contribute to the expansion of corruption, thereby maintaining the interests of powerful elites at the expense of development and reform.
Al-Ghalousi also pointed out that there is a tightening against democratic forces and the press, while corrupt powers enhance their influence through legislation that obstructs accountability, noting that some elites attempt to legitimize corruption, turning oversight institutions into mere formalities.
For her part, parliamentarian Fatima Zahra Al-Tamni, from the Democratic Left Federation party, stated that the spread of corruption has reinforced a culture of impunity and disrupted institutional functioning, which has undermined citizens' trust in the state and threatened political and social stability. She highlighted the lack of genuine political will to combat corruption.
In his comments, economist Azeddine Akasbi explained that society's normalization of corruption is a cumulative result developed over decades. Despite civil and legislative efforts, Morocco has regressed in international corruption indices, indicating a lack of political will to combat this phenomenon. He stressed that vital sectors such as judiciary, health, and security have also been affected by corruption, fostering a lack of justice.
In the context of anti-corruption reforms, Rashid Lzarq, head of the North Africa Studies Center, stated that political parties exploit the corruption issue as an electoral slogan without any real intention for reform. Although the legal texts to combat corruption issued by the 2011 constitution exist, their effectiveness remains hindered due to the absence of political will.
In this context, Al-Alam mentioned that Moroccan society expresses its rejection of corruption, yet some individuals are forced to deal with it due to daily necessities, pointing to the need for multiple measures to confront it, such as tightening penalties and enhancing integrity and community involvement.
In contrast, the Moroccan government defends its commitment to fighting corruption through specific strategies, noting that the national anti-corruption strategy (2016-2025) has achieved 76% of its goals. Government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas confirmed that the government has taken measures to improve public administration and foster transparency, emphasizing the importance of digital transformation in fighting corruption.
In conclusion, these dynamics show that combatting corruption in Morocco requires more political will and cooperation among various stakeholders to be effective and genuinely make a difference.
