A new controversy has erupted in Morocco as municipal leaders and real estate developers face accusations of misusing expropriation laws to pressure landowners into selling properties at below-market prices.
Hespress AR sources report that local officials, in collaboration with developers, have submitted questionable expropriation requests targeting lands designated for public projects under zoning laws. These lands, allocated for facilities such as parks, health centers, and recreational spaces, were not developed within the legally mandated 10-year period, allowing owners to reclaim their properties.
According to sources, the alleged scheme aims to force landowners into negotiations to sell their reclaimed lands cheaply. This has reportedly led to a surge in “release of property” requests submitted to urban planning agencies. The complaints, addressed to the Ministries of Interior, Housing, and Justice, allege financial losses and cite a lack of legal provisions for compensating owners for years of non-use.
Municipalities have cited financial and administrative challenges for failing to develop the earmarked lands. However, critics argue that past local councils neglected expropriation procedures and failed to follow up on approved plans, issues highlighted in reports by the Court of Accounts.
Under Moroccan law, lands allocated for public use must be developed within ten years. If this does not occur, owners can reclaim their properties, which cannot be subject to new zoning decisions for another decade. Nevertheless, these lands may still be expropriated for public benefit through a separate process.
The controversy has raised concerns about transparency and accountability in local governance, with many calling for stricter oversight of expropriation practices and the implementation of promised public projects.
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