Moroccan Authorities Demolish Unauthorized Cafes and Shops in Tourist Valley

The local authorities "broke some tables and chairs, and demolished the wooden shelters and bamboo parasols in the Ghighaya valley," and this "suddenly and without prior warning," says the president of a local association. A situation he deplores. According to him, the members of his association had requested an audience to meet with the local authorities in order to find a satisfactory solution for everyone, but they have received no response to this day. They then addressed a petition to the governor of the Al Haouz region to denounce the attitude of the local authorities. They claim that the latter did not accept the requests of the shop owners to grant them a deadline to remove all the wooden shelters. Consequence: this series of demolitions has resulted in "significant material damage and losses, as well as a psychological and economic crisis, which occurred directly after the crisis that the region experienced with the Covid-19 pandemic."

In a statement to the Al3omk site, the community activist stated that the local authorities have not allowed them to resume their activity since the destruction of their property. This event had a negative impact on the region and its inhabitants, he laments. Relying on the potential of the Moulay Brahim region, his association has asked the governor of the region "to allow them to use the banks of the valley so that visitors can sit and place tables and chairs to welcome arrivals throughout the summer." It assures that the managers of the cafes and shops "will comply with the law."