Morocco plagued by corruption, new survey reveals
2009-02-10
Transparency Maroc's 2008 report indicates that despite counter-measures, corruption flourishes in Morocco.
By Hassan Benmehdi for Magharebia in Casablanca – 10/02/09
 [Hassan Benmehdi] Transparency Maroc study uncovers widespread corruption in Morocco. |
At its thirteenth general meeting on February 1st in Rabat, Transparency Maroc (TM) commended the efforts of many public institutions and civil society in fighting corruption in Morocco, but still described it as not good enough.
Corruption remains deeply rooted, and the problem is only growing, according to the organisation.
"In fact, whilst the country maintained its score of 3.5 out of 10, which it obtained in 2007, under the Corruption Perceptions Index, it has, however, slipped from 72nd place to 80th," said Rachid Filali Meknassi, secretary-general of Transparency Maroc, upon presenting the 2008 report.
Filali Meknassi explained that endemic corruption continues to flourish, sheltered by "impunity maintained by public authorities".
The latest report from Transparency Maroc reached a similar conclusion concerning the Index of Corruption in Exporting Countries 2008, which included Morocco for the first time.
The observations in this area are alarming.
According to survey results, 46% of Moroccan businessmen questioned use corruption to facilitate or speed up administrative or customs procedures. These same people also acknowledge using contacts among their families and friends for the same purpose.
An anonymous businessman told Magharebia that he often has to resort to such practices, particularly when "faced with an archaic, bureaucratic administration and civil servants who are used to blackmail and care little about the public interest".
Some 33% of survey respondents use personal contacts to influence decisions on public calls for tender. These same business leaders, however, have critical views about the government’s actions in fighting corruption: 67% consider the steps taken to be very (or completely) ineffectual, 27% consider them effective, and barely 3% consider them very effective.
TM’s 2008 report also shows that the legal system remains mired in corruption. It comes out top of the list of corrupt state institutions, with a score of 3.6 out of 5, followed by the police (3.4), the offices issuing permits and authorisations (3.1), and health services (3).
These are the same state bodies which were found most wanting by the Global Corruption Barometer in 2006.
Transparency Maroc deplored the fact that, despite some modernisation efforts by government ministries, little progress has been achieved.
During the general meeting, Transparency Maroc presented current and future projects, particularly the monitoring and documentation work carried out by the National Corruption Observatory and the launch of the Citizens’ Action and Judicial Assistance Centre, intended to provide assistance and advice to victims of corruption.
"The fact that this gangrene has taken such a hold shows that there is something deeply wrong with the mechanisms for nominating and appointing uniformed individuals or members of the public with electoral mandates," said Nouvelle Tribune editorial writer Fahd Yata, who has been following the involvement to date of over 100 state and elected officials in cases of corruption or abuse of power.
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Ringzy Posted 2009-02-10
Well... as bad as it is, it's bloody understandable when you have to go to 18 different offices to get one stamp only to return to the first office across town to find the guy you're looking for is not there anymore because he decided to leave 2 hours early. I'm sorry, but the bureaucracy in Morocco is one among the worst I've encountered and it can seriously piss you off. I love living here, but when I'm confronted with all the permits and paperwork, I can totally understand why people resort to a quick 200 DH to get things sorted! I can't even get a school started here!! An English school ! Something that would benefit the country. The laws discourage it. Can you believe that? Ah well.. let me shut up, I can go on for hours. I tell you, it's the bloody French that messed all this up! And many Moroccans unfortunately in all ignorance keep looking to France as their saviour. Other than that, lovely country!
Ezroura Posted 2009-02-11
As a more efficient way to fight corruption is to encourage the citizens to report the cases of abuse through special offices to be created in different buildings in town. Transparency Maroc should open offices for complaints throughout the Country where people could address their complaints (with proof of course) without fear of reprisals. The individuals would fill in forms or talk to specific officials about the particular corruption incidents they have been victims to; the forms should be prepared in advance by TM and made available at these TM outlets or in post offices, etc... A compaign should be launched explaining this to the general public so that those who are getting wealthy through corruption will be scared and stop their malpractice. Without the help of the general public, without the public's feeling of security and protection when reporting corruption incidents, TM will never succeed in eliminating corruption from the Country. Other structures also need to be created; such as fighting nepotism, encouraging checks and balances, and encouraging fair treatment of excellence that has no tribal affiliation.
saidani miloudi Posted 2009-02-11
Corruption I think is an uncurable cancer that destroys all the Arab world.If you would like me to eradicate it from the country how much would you pay me for my coffee/tea? .......................................................
acharif moulay abdellah bouskraoui Posted 2009-02-11
May praise be to God alone- Morocco is doing its best to combat the scourge of corruption. The number of those who are in prison because of this scourge continues to increase. This is an endless, merciless war against all those who think they are above the law. If this proves anything, it is that we are a state of law. In how many Arab countries can you find high-ranking officials in prison? –None. Only Morocco has the will to fight this scourge. Therefore, do not bother worrying, because now, thanks to this merciless war against corruption, the investors and the citizens trust in our institutions and our fair legal system. We are a state of law, and with the decisions of our august King, Mohamed VI, Morocco will become the number-one democratic country in all the Arab world. –Signed, Acharif Moulay Abdellah Bouskraoui
Bendjeffal Posted 2009-02-12
I am quite dismayed at this premeditated, well-calculated war against Morocco and its Arab-Muslim civilisation. Everyone is uniting against Morocco in order to destabilise it so that it will join the West like Tunisia did, eyes closed. Gentlemen, Morocco has been a civilisation (or, at least, an established state) for several centuries; it is not Tunisia. So, if you speak of corruption, then go take a look at the USA, France and Great Britain. Take a look at Ehud Olmert and Ariel Sharon. Keep on with your boot licking, because you will never get the Nobel Peace Prize on the backs of the Moroccans, nor will you get it on the destruction of this country, which has been made as grand by its civilisation as it has by its people. Boutros Boutros-Gali may have got the Nobel Peace Prize on the backs of the Palestinians and Egyptians, but you are not of the same generation, gentlemen. Leave Morocco to its true children, who are ready to build, not destroy.
belagnaoui Posted 2009-02-17
Finally! I think that the fight against corruption is off to a good start. When we see the number of officials who have been implicated in corruption and who have been tried and sentenced by Morocco’s courts, it gives hope that this calamity will come to an end. We simply need a little bit of courage and tenacity in order to overcome this scourge. We can be proud of our country once we are sure that impunity is no more. But, we need to continue this fight, not abandon it. From the lowest to the highest, the corrupt agents of all fields have something to be afraid of, because society and the state have decided to strike hard in order to avoid underdevelopment, corruption and inequality. So, let us be vigilant and let us say: “Stop corruption so that our country develops!” We need a democratic state with a healthy administration and we need a conscious and strong people in order to defeat underdevelopment.
BEN M HAMED Posted 2009-07-14
Corruption in Morocco is caused by illegal means available for everyone in ONA markets – Acima and Marjane. Marjane is the stronghold of alcoholic drinks and depravity. However, this luxurious economic centre is now manipulating to make profit on the detriment of the Moroccan people shamelessly by imposing on low-income Moroccans with high prices of all consumer goods. This was intentional especially because they have closed all available and easy ways by importing goods in the west which are lower prices and with a decision of ONA prices of oil for example are doubled. A litre of oil in Europe is much cheaper than in dear Morocco.
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