Moroccan Islamist Party PJD Faces Internal Strife Ahead of 2021 Elections

The old conflicts are resurfacing in the ranks of the PJD in the north of the country. War of accreditations, the famous "tazkiyates" important to go to the elections, the old war of clans opposing the supporters of the founder, Lamine Boukhoubza to the supporters of the mayor of Tetouan, Mohamed Id Aomar, these are the reasons that once again divide the population of the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, reports the daily Assabah.

The supporters of the founding member are in full mobilization to prevent the current mayor of the city and leader of the party from being a candidate in the next elections, by maneuvering so that he does not have the party’s accreditation. To achieve this, the members of this clan first plan to ask the mayor to account for his two terms. The goal is to destabilize the mayor and deprive him of the support of the party leadership, explains the same source.

The supporters of the founding member threaten to reveal old files, mainly the behind-the-scenes of the constitution of the majority over which he runs the city, and if possible, his disputes with the justice system. Several local councilors have already withdrawn their support for the mayor, while others are opting to modify the accreditation lists.

With the defeats in the last partial elections in the Tetouan region, several are mobilizing in the ranks of Id Aomar’s party, thanks to the unconditional support of the former secretary general, Abdelilah Benkirane. However, in addition to the division of the PJD, the influx is no longer strong in the regions. The party’s activities have become rare, even non-existent.

Some local elected officials are even having trouble fulfilling their duties. Not to mention that the municipality has just lost the management of Fnideq, which is now under the responsibility of the RNI. The party is currently in total decline and no longer attracts many people, concludes the newspaper.