In Zagora, a caïd accused of extortion

The dispute, which broke out in the commune of Ternata, concerns allegations of extortion of funds. According to the complaint addressed to the Minister of the Interior Abdelouafi Laftit, the farmer claims to have been asked to pay a bribe of 5,000 dirhams per hectare. His refusal, justified by respect for the area quotas imposed by the provincial authorities, would have triggered a punitive operation.

On January 16, 2026, the farm was the subject of a raid involving auxiliary forces, the gendarmerie and two bulldozers. On the orders of the caïd, the machines would have devastated the red watermelon fields, demolished water tanks and destroyed the irrigation systems, including those intended for the palm trees. Sanitary facilities and pumping equipment were also targeted or removed during the intervention.

The owner, who claims to have the right to the collective lands supported by a court judgment, has requested the opening of a criminal investigation with the Attorney General of the King near the Court of Appeal of Ouarzazate. He denounces "serious criminal acts" and intimidation maneuvers aimed at hindering an agricultural activity that he has been exercising for several years in this region marked by a strict regulation of watermelon cultivation.