The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (MMHR) has sharply criticized city officials in Marrakesh for mismanagement, corruption, and inefficient use of public funds, pointing to major gaps between investment spending and results on the ground.
In a statement, the MMHR’s Marrakesh Menara branch said public contracts tied to urban development, public transport, and sanitation reveal “serious dysfunctions,” despite hundreds of millions of dirhams allocated to projects.
The association highlighted several urban development contracts, including one worth MAD 68.9 million and another nearing MAD 97.6 million, along with additional technical deals exceeding MAD 5 million each. Two major road projects, Allal Al Fassi and Moulay Abdellah, alone received more than MAD 79.7 million and 81 million respectively. Together, these projects surpass MAD 224 million.
Yet residents report little improvement. “Construction is unfinished, open pits remain, traffic is congested, and delays are widespread,” the statement said. The group added that works often fail to meet basic quality and durability standards.
The redevelopment of Jemaa el-Fnaa square, a flagship project costing around MAD 115 million, also drew criticism. Heavy rains and thunderstorms last week turned the area into “large pools of water,” exposing weak infrastructure and raising concerns about fraud and misuse of public funds.
Public transport projects show similar shortcomings. Authorities had announced that 60% of a new bus fleet would be ready ahead of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside a MAD 44 million investment in bus shelters and more than MAD 7 million for preparatory studies.
Despite this, the city continues to face overcrowding, limited routes, and poor service, particularly affecting students, workers, and vulnerable populations. The MMHR cited the failure of an electric bus project and the lack of accessibility for people with disabilities.
Sanitation services remain inadequate, even with contracts worth hundreds of millions of dirhams, the association said. Waste accumulates in neighborhoods, foul odors persist, and some areas, particularly in Menara, remain heavily polluted. Recent storms exposed the fragility of infrastructure, causing material damage and casualties.
The MMHR called for a transparent judicial and financial investigation into stalled projects, stricter oversight of public contracts, and accountability for responsible parties. The group also urged penalties for companies failing to meet contractual standards, increased transparency, and stronger public participation in monitoring municipal spending.
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