Surf School Owners Protest Demolitions on Moroccan Beach, Seek Government Dialogue

The local authorities have launched an operation to free up illegally occupied public domains, particularly on the beach of Dar Bouazza, located in the province of Nouaceur, where small traders have installed, without authorization, food stalls along the coast. "On Monday, March 15, the authorities came to see us to tell us to clear the premises. On Wednesday, they demolished everything. We didn’t even have time to tidy up our belongings and equipment," says Aziz, a surf coach and owner of a club in Dar Bouazza, to Hespress.

According to Aziz, the owners of these establishments did indeed obtain authorization from the municipal authorities before settling in. "We also submitted our file to the maritime domain, which acknowledged receipt," he adds. "For years, we have been able to create champions at the national and international level in Dar Bouazza. And we are proud of it, but today we are disappointed that this dynamic is being interrupted by this decision," laments Aziz.

The supervisor of this demolition operation told the surf school owners that "the decision comes from the prefecture of Casablanca," notes Aziz, who observes that the authorities, "without prior notice to the parties concerned and giving them advance notice," have made "a mistake."

Faced with the situation, the heads of the affected surf schools plan to appeal to the prefecture to find common ground. "Either they give us an operating permit to resume our surfing activity, which has just recently relaunched, or they find us another alternative," says Aziz, who announces that they have the support of several associations that offer to provide them with the services of their lawyers.