Moroccan Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi called for enhanced regional and international cooperation to combat organized crime and its financial underpinnings, emphasizing the need for effective legal mechanisms to trace, freeze, and confiscate criminal assets.
Speaking Monday at a regional workshop hosted in Rabat from June 16 to 18 under the title “Tracing, Freezing, Seizing, and Confiscating Criminal Assets,” Ouahbi highlighted that asset recovery is a crucial developmental lever for countries in the Global South and a key deterrent against transnational crime.
The event brought together experts and officials from various judicial and law enforcement institutions, aiming to advance global efforts in curbing illicit financial flows.
“The Kingdom of Morocco is committed to implementing the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), particularly those relating to asset freezing and international cooperation,” Ouahbi said during the workshop’s opening remarks. “Recovering stolen assets is not only a matter of justice but also a vital step for sustainable development.”
Legal Reforms and International Engagement
Ouahbi acknowledged that asset seizure and confiscation measures pose both legal and practical challenges, particularly in safeguarding the rights of good-faith third parties and preserving asset value. He stressed the need to strengthen legal frameworks and improve field practices to address these obstacles.
The justice minister noted Morocco’s significant progress in this field, citing the efforts of the National Financial Intelligence Authority and the country’s active participation in international agreements and legal cooperation networks, notably the MENA-ARIN platform for asset recovery in the Middle East and North Africa. Morocco has also signed more than 80 bilateral treaties related to criminal matters.
In a major policy announcement, Ouahbi revealed that the Ministry of Justice has prepared draft legislation to establish a National Agency for the Recovery and Management of Seized and Confiscated Assets, aimed at centralizing recovery operations, ensuring efficiency, and maintaining a dedicated criminal asset database.
Fighting Money Laundering Through Partnership
Ouahbi concluded by affirming that “effectively confronting money laundering will require deeper regional cooperation and shared experience.” He urged a collaborative approach that unites judicial, executive, and legislative actors to confront cross-border criminal networks.
“Such partnerships,” he added, “are essential to accelerating development and reinforcing the rule of law across the region.”
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