RABAT – Several Moroccan human rights organizations and prominent figures have voiced serious concerns about the current state of the nation, suggesting that Morocco is navigating one of the most perilous periods in its contemporary history. These concerns center around a perceived erosion of genuine sovereignty and call for a national reckoning in the face of systemic issues.
According to activist and political commentator Mohamed Qandil, the country is experiencing a “comprehensive collapse of all forms of real sovereignty.” He argues that despite the image of a strong and stable nation, the reality on the ground reveals a population struggling under the weight of external influences and internal corruption.
Qandil asserts that the first step toward reclaiming true sovereignty is acknowledging that the monarchy has long relinquished its sovereign functions, its role reduced to a marginal administrative one within a regional and international system that dictates events within Morocco.
“Moroccans must stop consuming illusions,” he stated, emphasizing that “restoring sovereignty is not a slogan but an existential battle, because peoples who do not control their own strength, decisions, or wealth will never own their future.”
Echoing these sentiments, the youth movement spearheading recent protests has declared that independence is not merely a historical event concluded in 1956, but an ongoing process. While their ancestors fought to liberate the land from foreign colonizers, this generation’s battle is to liberate the people from ignorance, disease, corruption, and exploitation.
Attac Morocco, a social justice organization, issued a statement condemning the recent deaths of young protesters at the hands of security forces. The organization highlighted the ongoing trials and convictions of hundreds of young people across the country, arguing that these are designed to silence a generation demanding its rights. They characterized the events during the protests not as isolated incidents of excessive force, but as state-sponsored crimes occurring within a political context marked by escalating popular protests, met with increased security measures.
The statements underscore a growing sense of urgency among activists and organizations who believe Morocco stands at a critical juncture, demanding greater accountability and a renewed commitment to genuine sovereignty and social justice.
