Moroccan Court Poised to Remove Mayors Over Corruption Allegations

The control missions of the Ministry of the Interior have noted numerous violations and irregularities in the management of the communes in the north. There are also many complaints about serious accusations of embezzlement of public funds, and the unilateral taking of illegal decisions. On the basis of this information, the administrative court of Rabat will pronounce, in the very near future, sanctions against several mayors and elected officials.

Sources have told Al Akhbar that a nominal list of these mayors has already been drawn up. And the names on it include, among others, Mohamed Idaamar (PJD deputy), president of the municipal council of Tetouan, Larbi Ahnine (PPS deputy), president of the commune of Azla, Mohamed Mellahi (USFP deputy), president of the commune of Oued Laou, Mohamed Karrouk (PJD), president of the municipal council of Fnideq, Abderrahmane El Hajiouj (PAM), president of the rural commune of Dar Ben Karrich, Mustapha Derboune (USFP), president of the commune of Bni Said, and Brahim Bensabih (PPS), president of the commune of Zaouiat Sidi Kacem.

Among them, two mayors are already facing justice. The dismissal of the PJD mayor of Tetouan, Mohamed Idaamar, is pending a verdict from the Tetouan Court of Appeal, the same source specifies. The PPS president of the commune of Oued Laou finds himself in the same situation. He is accused of having trampled on previous court decisions, as well as warnings from his supervisory authority.

If the justice were to render decisions that exonerate these incriminated mayors and elected officials, a vote of no confidence could make them lose their seats.