Amine Bouchaib, a Moroccan writer residing in Italy, has articulated a concerning reality faced by Moroccans today, asserting that the current crisis of rising prices is not merely a fleeting issue or a reflection of international market fluctuations, as the government seeks to portray through its official media and spokespersons under the guise of "illusory achievements." Instead, he emphasizes that the situation is significantly more serious and alarming. Bouchaib states, "We are confronted with a systematic policy aimed at breaking the will of the Moroccan citizen, instilling a sense of daily humiliation and helplessness, transforming the quest for freedom, dignity, and social justice into a distant dream." This commentary underscores a growing sentiment among citizens who feel increasingly marginalized and oppressed.
According to Bouchaib, the contours of this political and social vengeance began to emerge the moment Moroccans took to the streets demanding their rights to freedom, justice, and a fight against corruption and despotism. He notes that once the populace shattered the barrier of fear and raised their voices against an economy dominated by patronage and the monopolization of wealth and power, certain influential circles started to view the citizen not as a partner in the nation but as an adversary to be subdued and returned to a state of obedience. The writer recalls how, when Moroccans launched a popular boycott against companies associated with Aziz Akhannouch, the underlying mentality governing the country became evident. Citizens were not treated as free consumers exercising their legitimate right to economic protest; instead, they were regarded as "rebels" deserving of punishment. The condescending rhetoric from Akhannouch, who spoke of the need for "re-education," illustrated a perspective that regards the populace as mere livestock that must be conditioned to obey rather than listened to regarding their legitimate demands.
Since that pivotal moment, Bouchaib notes a seemingly unannounced decision aimed at leading Moroccans into deeper impoverishment and psychological and social pressure. The prices of essential goods have skyrocketed uncontrollably: cooking oil, sugar, vegetables, meat, fuel, transportation, electricity, water, education, and healthcare have all seen dramatic increases, making even the simplest conditions for a decent life a heavy burden for millions of Moroccan families. Meanwhile, wages have stagnated, leaving citizens to shoulder the burdens of political and economic failures alone. Bouchaib argues that the staggering price hikes witnessed in Moroccan markets are not mere transient economic disturbances but a natural outcome of the alliance between power and wealth, coupled with the monopolization of the market by powerful lobbies linked to centers of influence. He asserts that Akhannouch's government does not exist to protect the purchasing power of Moroccans but rather to safeguard the interests of major monopolists, even if it comes at the expense of crushing the middle class and pushing the poor towards despair and collapse.
Many Moroccans now perceive the state as a colossal tax-collecting machine that raises prices, burdens taxpayers, reduces services, and leaves citizens to confront hunger, unemployment, illness, and despair alone. The most alarming aspect is the attempt by some to convince the populace that their suffering is a "natural fate," suggesting that those who complain are either exaggerating or serving "suspect agendas." However, the undeniable truth is that Moroccans do not seek luxury but merely the right to live with dignity in their homeland. They desire a state that protects them rather than a power that punishes them; they want an economy that serves the people rather than monopolies; and they seek leaders who empathize with their struggles instead of boasting about statistics and empty speeches.
Perhaps the gravest error any authority can commit is to drive its people to feel that their homeland no longer has room for them. While societies may endure poverty for years, they cannot forgive humiliation, nor can they forget those who have turned their daily lives into a hell of inflation, fear, and helplessness. Moroccans, who have long endured the bitterness of marginalization and scorn, now recognize more than ever that the crisis is not solely about rising prices, but rather a crisis of governance, mentality, and authority that has chosen to side with wealth and influence against the people.
When paying the electricity bill becomes a struggle, and the pursuit of basic sustenance transforms into a nightmare for Moroccan families, it becomes evident that the issue transcends mere governmental failure; it signals a profound moral and political collapse. A state that fails to protect the dignity of its citizens or ignores their suffering opens the floodgates of anger, distrust, and social upheaval. The haunting question that pursues Moroccans daily remains: How long will this nation continue to demand patience from the poor while the coffers of the country are opened to patronage and monopolies? How long will the populace bear the brunt of policies they did not choose and governments that only heed the voices of the wealthy and influential?
As reported by ech-chaab.com.
