ANSAmed
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI
Moroccan consuls have been accused of abuse of power, mistreatment and violence against the country’s citizens living abroad, and the king has blocked holiday time while investigations are conducted amid the threat of lay-offs.
The foreign ministry has announced a toll-free emergency number to be up and running beginning on August 17 for the complaints of Moroccan residents abroad, who have at times fallen victim to abuses of power by those tasked with helping them.
The issue was raised in recent weeks when the king’s office was sent cell phone footage showing abuse of power by two consuls in particular, who sources say are in ”countries near Morocco”.
The king launched an initial message during the traditional end of July speech, which celebrates his enthronement. ”Anything done to my subjects outside of the borders of the kingdom is as if it has been done to me,” he said. He mentioned Moroccan consuls in several parts of the speech and promised that justice would be done. A few days later, the matter was passed to Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar, who on August 5 called an urgent cabinet meeting and sent an angry letter to the consuls.
He said that ”availability, devotion to the country and competence” were the pillars of a restructuring in the works for 70 consulates beginning at the end of August. He has pledged to lay off consuls that have shown not to be up to the tasked and has blocked holiday time for all. Some 30 young professionals will be sent in November to the consulates most in need, after a three-month training program.
At the same time, an internet platform will be launched, where it will be possible to find the most common documents, such as those related to civil state and birth registrations. The move aims to centralize procedures and keep a closer tab on diplomatic offices. Some 250 million dirhams have been set aside for the purpose, equal to about 22 million euros, which will also be used to revamp the offices and implement a reform program.
