Morocco’s Diaspora Neglected: Socialist Party Demands Urgent Policy Overhaul

The socialist party calls for a revision of public policies towards Moroccans worldwide. In the preparatory document for its congress, it believes that the abolition of the delegated ministry in charge of MREs and its attachment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a serious mistake. This decision "has aggravated the state of inertia and deprived the community of its direct institutional interlocutor," it states, noting that the budget allocated to this department has remained unchanged. The party also notes the cessation of several essential programs such as the mobile administrative office abroad, cultural camps or educational support for the children of the diaspora.

However, the contribution of MREs to the development of the kingdom is not negligible. The figures speak for themselves. Remittances from MREs represent more than 7% of the kingdom’s gross domestic product. Moreover, more than 10% of members of the Moroccan diaspora have rare skills in scientific research, finance or the economy. For the left-wing party, "the true value of the community goes beyond the economic aspect to encompass its cultural, diplomatic and strategic dimensions," stressing that this potential remains largely underexploited by the kingdom, due to a lack of clear political will.

The socialist party also criticizes the consulates, which do not provide quality services to Moroccans worldwide: too slow procedures, lack of qualified staff and incomplete digitization of procedures. To correct the situation, the party calls for a redeployment of the consular map to take into account the new destinations to which Moroccans are migrating, particularly the Gulf countries, Africa and Latin America. On a cultural level, the party calls for the rapid creation of a "Moroccan Agency for Cultural Offerings Abroad" in order to strengthen the ties between Morocco and its diaspora.

Finally, the Party of the Socialist Union recommends the creation of an independent national institution dedicated to Moroccans worldwide, the improvement and digitization of consular services, the support of vulnerable categories of the community and the reform of the Consultative Council so that it can fully play its role. The party insists that MREs are no longer just economic contributors, but strategic partners in the defense of the homeland and territorial integrity.