Moroccan Families Face Displacement as High-Speed Rail Project Advances

Informed of the procedures initiated by the provincial authorities, the families concerned went in large numbers to the headquarters of the province and to the various administrative services, as the expropriation could deprive them of their homes without sufficient compensation and without any guarantee of rehousing.

Faced with the growing anger, the local elected officials of Sidi Hajjaj Oued Hassar have decided to intervene. Municipal councilors have sent a request to the president of the municipal council to convene an extraordinary session. The objective is to discuss the situation and to question the governor of the province of Médiouna.

The elected officials make two main demands. First, they want the expropriated residents to be able to obtain new building permits. Second, they are asking for the implementation of a new public transport line connecting Sidi Hajjaj to Médiouna and serving the surrounding douars.

This mobilization is part of a context of significant development of transport infrastructure in the region. In addition to the TGV, a network of rapid regional trains (RER) is under construction. It will connect Mohammed V Airport to the Benslimane stadium, which will host matches for the 2030 World Cup.