Morocco Cabinet Shake-Up Looms as Ministers Eye Exit from Akhannouch Government

The prospect of a ministerial reshuffle seems increasingly likely and the rumors are rife. Aziz Akhannouch could announce new changes within his government before the June or July 2024 council of ministers, which should examine the main guidelines of the 2025 Finance Bill, believes Al Akhbar, adding that a possible reshuffle does not seem to shake certain ministers who are impatient to leave the government team for various reasons. The most likely reasons are the remuneration which is below what they earn in the private sector and the infringement of their private life. The Australian media recently mentioned an alleged love affair between Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development and the Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest.

Who are these ministers who want to leave Aziz Akhannouch’s government? According to the daily, there is Mohamed Abdeljalil, Minister of Transport and Logistics, whose income in the private sector was three times higher than what he receives as a minister; Leila Benali, who worked abroad for the private sector; Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance, who comes from the entrepreneurial world where she earned more than her ministerial remuneration. Alaoui had been criticized during the Covid period for her management of the Tourism sector, then at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Abdellatif Ouahbi, Minister of Justice, who would be among the ministers who will be dismissed from the government, is impatient to return to his law firm. In the meantime, he has acknowledged before the deputies that by entering the government, he had lost the millions that his law firm was bringing him.

On the other hand, the ministers who show efficiency and good management would not be tempted by a possible departure. These include Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Abdellatif Loudiyi, Minister Delegate in charge of National Defense Administration, reporting directly to the King, Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR); Ahmed Toufiq, the immovable Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs; Abdelouafi Laftit, Minister of the Interior and Fouzi Lekjaâ, Minister in charge of the Budget.