Rabat Slum Demolished in Controversial Urban Redevelopment Project

"This operation comes after several attempts to persuade the residents to settle in other areas. However, these calls were largely ignored and the idea was rejected by the residents. The latter believe that this eviction procedure is unfair to them," writes Al Akhbar.

Initially intended to accommodate members of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) after their demobilization, this neighborhood has gradually turned into a slum where residents have been illegally settled for more than 50 years, according to sources in the daily newspaper. This is why the local authorities have decided to raze Douar El Askar, considering that "its presence hinders the urban development of the city".

The site housing this neighborhood was supposed to "host development projects, including a golf course, which requires clearing the entire area of any anarchic construction," it is specified. As for the inhabitants of Douar El Askar, they have expressed their anger and concern following this decision. They refuse to join the relocation site in Tamesna, which they consider too far from "their workplace and their children’s school".

This situation "could undermine their social and economic stability," they denounce, calling on the competent authorities to find viable solutions to this problem. The latter assure for their part that "the demolition process is in accordance with the law and is part of the improvement of infrastructure and the implementation of projects of public interest".