Casablanca’s Ban on Animal-Drawn Carts Fails, Ramadan Sees Surge in Usage

The municipal decree banning the circulation of animal-drawn carts in the urban area of Casablanca has not borne fruit. This is evidenced by the strong presence of these vehicles used for the sale of vegetables and fruits and the transport of citizens in several areas of the city, in Sidi Othman, Hay Farah, Lissasfa, Oulfa, and Rahma. As a result, Nabila Rmili, the mayor of the city, is criticized for having failed to solve this problem, which has worsened since the beginning of Ramadan.

On Facebook, local observers denounce the inability of the municipality and deplore that the circulation of animal-drawn carts "perpetuates the image of the economic capital and counteracts the dream of becoming a smart city."

On October 17 last, the Casablanca municipal council approved a decree totally prohibiting the use of animals such as mules, donkeys and horses for the transport of goods and people, or as a means of street vending of food or other products. On the instructions of the Mayor of Casablanca, Nabila Rmili, signs of "prohibition of passage of animal-drawn carts" had been installed in several places and streets of the districts of Ain Sebaâ-Hay Mohammadi, Moulay Rachid, Sidi Bernoussi-Sidi Moumen, Ain Chock, Casablanca-Anfa, Ben Msik, Hay Hassani, as well as in the district of Moulay Rachid. Four months later, the objectives have not been achieved.