Moroccan Border Town Unrest: Four Arrested as Protests Spread to Tetouan

The police arrested last Friday, at the end of these demonstrations against the closure of the borders, a member of Al Adl wal Ihssane and an activist of the USFP.

The defendants, held in pre-trial detention, will be brought this Tuesday, February 9, before the court of first instance of Tetouan to answer the charges of "participation in an unauthorized gathering", "throwing stones at public forces" and "violation of the state of health emergency".

The issue of the economic management of the health crisis arises acutely after these demonstrations by the inhabitants of Fnideq, who expressed their frustration with a situation that impoverishes the local productive fabric and destroys the social bond.

The entire north of Morocco is considered a strategic area by the government, which has made major investments in road and port infrastructure there. But it is also known as an area favorable to the jihadist discourse and the smuggling trade. The government therefore has an interest in taking the bull by the horns in order to prevent other demonstrations from occurring in other regions of the kingdom after those of Fnideq.