Welcome to this week’s edition of our Weekly Risk Watch, offering insights into the economic, political, and security updates that could have significant implications for your business or daily life.
Economy and market:
- Tomatoes exports under pressure: Export suspension in Morocco triggers a strike by exporters amid price declines and domestic supply debate, as consumer groups push for prioritising local demand over foreign shipments.
Risk factor: The suspension risks disrupting relations with foreign partners, delaying payments across the supply chain.
- Fuel pricing review in Morocco: The Competition Council is considering changes to the current system of synchronized fuel price adjustments every 15 days, as it examines a shift toward a more flexible, market-driven pricing model.
Risk factor: The current pricing practice risks limiting competition and slowing responsiveness to international price movements.
Political Stability:
- Unsafe buildings in northern medinas: A partial building collapse in Tetouan killed two children, renewing concerns over thousands of aging structures at risk of collapse across historic urban centers including Tetouan, Tangier, Larache and Ksar El Kebir.
Risk factor: Unsafe buildings continue to pose a serious risk of deadly collapses, especially in densely populated old medinas with aging structures.
- Marrakech protest over public Jewish prayers: Dozens of protesters gathered near the Bab Doukkala ramparts in Marrakech after a viral video showed Hasidic Jewish visitors performing collective prayers in the area, triggering debate over the use of public space and accusations of normalization practices.
- Unlicensed daycare death in Tangier: A court in northern Morocco sentenced two women to two years in prison each after the death of an infant inside an unlicensed daycare center operating without authorization or basic safety standards.
Risk factor: The case highlights the dangers of operating childcare facilities without legal authorization or minimum safety requirements.
- Man arrested in Youssoufia after wife killing: Moroccan police detained a suspect wanted in connection with the killing of his wife after tracking him to a forest area near Youssoufia, following a nationwide search and information provided by his family.
Risk factor: The case highlights the risk of domestic violence leading to fatal outcomes.
- Wolf pups killed in Errachidia: The killing of six wolf pups by three nomads in Morocco’s Errachidia province has sparked an investigation and backlash from environmental groups, amid claims the animals were killed to protect livestock.
Cross-border stability:
- Smuggling of ecstasy pills from Tanger-Med Port: Security forces foiled an attempt to traffic 140,000 ecstasy pills concealed in a utility vehicle bearing foreign plates during a joint operation by national police and customs on Friday, leading to the arrest of a 38-year-old Spanish national of Dominican origin.
Risk factor: The incident poses a risk of synthetic drugs entering local markets and fueling drug abuse and organized crime networks.
- Migrant boats intercepted off Sidi Ifni: Moroccan authorities stopped two boats carrying 90 irregular migrants off the southern Atlantic coast, including one vessel that was preparing to depart from Asbouya and another that ran aground near Sidi Ifni after leaving Agadir days earlier.
Security:
- Storm and hail alert: Strong thunderstorms and hail were expected over the weekend in several northern and eastern provinces, including Jerada, Al Hoceima, Guercif, Taza, Figuig, Driouch, Nador and Taourirt, with authorities warning of heavy rainfall, flooding and dangerous road conditions.
Risk factor: The weather conditions raise the risk of local flooding and traffic disruption.
- Road accidents in urban Morocco: Twenty-five people were killed and 3,292 injured, including 147 seriously, in 2,399 traffic accidents recorded between April 13 and 19, according to the DGSN.
Risk factor: The figures highlight the continued risk of high accident rates in urban areas driven by driver inattention and poor road safety compliance.
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