Thousands of truck, bus, and taxi drivers are protesting this Monday, part of a 72-hour national strike to alarm the authority over a rise in fuel prices that they say is the highest in North Africa.
The strike is organized by the transport professionals union, which took place starting at 12 a.m, and extends over several transport sectors.
Secretary-General of the union, Mounir Benazzouz told Hespress EN in a statement over 60% of drivers froze operation as of this morning, leaving buses, and trucks next to the companies they work for.
Secretary-General of the union stated the goal behind this strike is to set fixed prices for fuels nationwide, “no matter global changes.”
Morocco gave up on subsidizing fuel prices since 2016, in a move to leave a place for competitors in the national market.
“Fuel prices in Morocco are the highest in North Africa, with gasoline amounting to MAD12.94, and diesel fuel set to MAD11.21,” he added.
According to recent data issued by the end of February, fuel prices in Algeria were set at USD0.325/ liter for gasoline, USD0.205/ liter for diesel fuels, Tunisia USD0.762/ liter for diesel fuels, while in Morocco diesel prices have amounted to USD1.135/ liter, according to Global petrol prices’ website.
University professor, and international expert in renewable energy, Doctor Abdessamad Malaoui told Hespress EN there is no doubt that the Russian offensive in Ukraine will impact the country negatively, including energy, especially with the sanctions imposed on Russia.
“Morocco still imports most energy needs from abroad, including gas, and oil, covering nearly 90% of its needs, down compared to recent years 97%, which is mainly explained by the national renewable energies project, launched in 2009,” he specified.
“Even trade will be impacted negatively, that is why the country needs to implement new strategies in food security, and renewable energy with more initiatives and investments, as a way to rely on the national market,” the international expert added.
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