Morocco Drug Bust Exposes Gap in Anti-Corruption Laws, Sparks Reform Debate

"The Moroccan state has never adopted a law on illicit enrichment, but there was an article in the latest draft revision of the Penal Code that stipulated it. Unfortunately, the project was withdrawn by the Minister of Justice," explains Omar El Cherkaoui, professor of constitutional law at the University of Hassan II, in a statement to Al Ayyam 24.

He continues: "This article cannot comprehensively combat corruption and unjustified enrichment, but the process of cleaning up political life undertaken by the state to rid it of all forms of corruption is an opportunity to put in place an independent law on illicit enrichment."

The professor of constitutional law believes that the wave of arrests of politicians involved in financial crime cases is a favorable ground "to prepare a bill and implement it as soon as possible." El Cherkaoui is aware that such a reform "will encounter resistance." This is why he urges the government to show "boldness and seriousness" to carry out this reform.