Morocco ministers fired over Rif development delays

Morocco ministers fired over Rif development delays
King Mohammed VI sacks government ministers after an audit revealed that development projects in the Rif region are behind schedule.
1 min read
25 October, 2017
Protests broke out in the Rif region after the death of a fishmonger [Anadolu]
Four Moroccan government officials have been fired by the country's monarch after alleged delays in development programmes in the country's impoverished northern Rif region.

The royal palace said in a statement on Tuesday that the ministers of education, health and housing, and a junior minister of professional training were ousted after King Mohammed VI received a report by the kingdom's accounting office.

The auditors' report said that "several sectors of government and public institutions" hadn't fulfilled their commitments in implementing development projects worth nearly $700 million.

The sackings come just days before the anniversary of the death of a local vendor who was crushed in a garbage truck while trying to retrieve fish seized by police. 

His death sparked an outbreak of protests in the mountainous region, which saw clashes between armed security forces and protesters.

The July riots prompted King Mohammed to announce major investment for the Rif region.

In August, Morocco's prime minister cancelled holidays for ten ministers in order to ensure that essential development works in the Rif region continued.