The Moroccan Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into irregularities and alleged political misuse of Ramadan food aid vouchers, as local authorities across multiple provinces face growing scrutiny over delayed distributions and suspicious practices.
Sources told Hespress Ar that internal reports from various provinces have revealed that many aid vouchers—meant for vulnerable households during the holy month—are still being distributed well past the official deadlines, raising concerns that the aid is being mishandled or used for political leverage.
Investigators have uncovered that some local council members are hoarding hundreds of stamped vouchers, rather than distributing them to the intended recipients. Several municipal warehouses reportedly remain full of food packages that were purchased weeks ago through multi-million-dirham contracts, some awarded to obscure or remote private companies.
Authorities now suspect that these aid programs may have been used for electoral or political gain, rather than genuine social support. The Ministry’s General Inspectorate of Territorial Administration is expected to deploy inspection teams in the coming days, starting with a municipality in Berrechid Province within the Casablanca-Settat region, where significant irregularities have been reported.
The inspection will include cross-checking beneficiary lists to ensure the vouchers reached eligible households. Early signs point to possible data manipulation, with reports suggesting that some upscale neighborhoods—including those with villas and luxury apartments—were inexplicably included among aid recipients.
Adding to the controversy, some municipalities reportedly attempted to disguise the aid program under vague budget lines, such as “assistance for vulnerable people,” in an effort to bypass oversight by provincial governors. These tactics were allegedly designed to obscure inflated spending and avoid bureaucratic delays.
Moreover, the investigation is now widening to include claims of coercion and blackmail. Several property developers and contractors have come forward, alleging that local officials pressured them to fund Ramadan food programs in exchange for favorable treatment—such as lower taxes, faster permits, or land use privileges. Those who refused reportedly faced retaliation, including delayed approvals and increased fees.
These business complaints are now part of the official investigation. According to one source, “the aid was never about charity—it was about influence,” with some developers claiming they were forced to fund political agendas disguised as philanthropy.
The Interior Ministry has yet to issue a formal public statement, but officials close to the matter say the findings so far could prompt disciplinary measures and possible legal action, especially if links between aid mismanagement and political favoritism are confirmed.
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