A wave of shock has been generated by the demolition operations that have shaken the coastline of the provinces of Agadir-Ida-Ou-Tanane, Tiznit and Chtouka Aït Baha.
These demolitions, which were deemed “unjust”, sparked a heated debate on land rights and social justice.
Accused of encroaching on the public maritime domain, hundreds of buildings were targeted for demolition. The consequences are disastrous for the inhabitants, who overnight find themselves without a roof over their heads, losing decades of investment and life in these buildings. Faced with this alarming situation, the authorities have offered no tangible alternative to the citizens affected, accentuating their sense of injustice and despair.
MP Nezha Abakrim of the Union Socialiste des Forces Populaires (USPF) party spoke out on behalf of the victims of these demolitions. She called on the Ministry of the Interior to set up support programs as a matter of urgency. These would aim to enable the affected residents to exploit the public maritime domain individually or collectively, with a view to generating income and rebuilding their lives.
The MP also highlighted “the inequitable treatment reserved by state bodies for citizens operating buildings prior to the delimitation of the public maritime domain”. She recalled that “these constructions, of various forms and uses, were at the heart of the local economy. They housed primary and secondary residences, shops and warehouses for traditional fishermen, and contributed significantly to the region’s economic and tourism development.”
There’s no denying that these demolitions have dealt a heavy blow to the region’s tourist image, which has seen a massive influx of visitors, notably by depriving them of access to certain popular beaches, such as those at Tifnit, Sidi Ifni and Sidi Wassay. These beaches, once bustling with a multitude of activities and services offered by local residents, are now deserted, giving way to a landscape of desolation and disenchantment.
In a written question addressed to the Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, the deputy pointed the finger at “the lack of consideration for human dignity in these demolition actions”. “By using public force to evict the inhabitants, the State has clearly demonstrated an imbalance between the protection of the public maritime domain and respect for the fundamental rights of citizens. It is therefore imperative for the authorities to revise their approach and take into account the human and social aspect of this crisis,” she said.
Similarly, Abakrim stressed the need for the state to recognize its moral responsibility in this situation. “The citizens, who have exploited these buildings for years, under the watchful eye of the authorities, deserve justice and reparation. It is urgent that the State put in place concrete measures to support the affected residents and professionals, by proposing rehousing solutions and alternatives for the tourism, accommodation, sporting activities and traditional fishing sectors”, the USFP MP asked.
The MP also called for a thorough review of the laws governing the public maritime domain, often inherited from the colonial period. She calls for a more balanced approach that respects human dignity, and urges the State to develop inclusive and fair policies to meet the needs and aspirations of Moroccan citizens.
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