RABAT – Political bodies in Morocco have expressed growing concern over the escalating levels of corruption, warning that it poses a significant threat to the country’s social and economic stability. The issue has become a focal point of debate, with various entities criticizing the perceived inaction in tackling the pervasive problem.
The National Authority for Integrity, Prevention and Fight against Corruption recently addressed a parliamentary finance committee, lamenting the lack of effective implementation of existing laws designed to combat corruption. The Authority stated that the mere enactment of legislation and formulation of strategies remain ineffective without genuine enforcement.
The Justice and Development Party has also voiced strong criticism of the government’s alleged failure to prioritize the fight against corruption. According to party representatives, the current government, led by Aziz Akhannouch, has contributed to a worsening situation by neglecting this critical issue. Opposition MP, Abdelsamad Haiker, estimated the annual cost of corruption to the Moroccan economy at over 50 billion dirhams, highlighting that a significant majority of Moroccan businesses perceive corruption as widespread and institutionalized due to the absence of effective deterrents.
Official reports from constitutional institutions corroborate a decline in integrity and transparency indicators, coupled with weak judicial follow-up in cases involving corruption in public procurement. Morocco’s ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index has reportedly fallen to 99 out of 180 countries, indicating a lack of progress in combating the issue.
Noureddine Madiane, a representative from the Istiqlali Group, called for investigations into the sources of wealth of officials whose assets have grown disproportionately compared to their declared income. He asserted that the core of corruption lies in the direct awarding of contracts in exchange for bribes. Similarly, Al Hassan Lachkar, representing the Socialist Group, criticized the government’s perceived lack of political will to combat corruption, citing the withdrawal of a draft law on illicit enrichment without offering a replacement and the freezing of the anti-corruption committee, which has not convened in over a year. These concerns highlight the urgent need for comprehensive and decisive action to address corruption and safeguard Morocco’s future.
