Moroccan taxi drivers who block, surround or detain vehicles working through ride-hailing applications could face legal action because they have no authority to enforce transport regulations, union officials warned on Sunday, August 16.
Samir Faraby secretary-general of the Democratic Transport Union, condemned continuing roadside interceptions, saying disputes over unlicensed passenger transport must be handled by police and local authorities.
“Detaining someone, surrounding them or restricting their freedom of movement cannot take place outside the law,” Faraby said. He accused a small group of drivers and permit holders of using decoy passengers, staging ambushes and impersonating enforcement officers.
Morocco requires prior authorization to transport passengers or operate intermediary services, the Interior Ministry said in May.
The government is studying a regulatory framework for app-based transport, but private vehicles currently operating without permits remain outside the authorized system.
Mustapha El Kihel, secretary-general of the Moroccan Democratic Transport Union, denied that professional drivers were carrying out unlawful interceptions. He said they were exercising their constitutional right to protest against unauthorized transport.
“Professional drivers are not security officers and have no policing authority allowing them to stop people or request their documents,” El Kihel said.
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