Noa Moussa, edited by Laura Laplaud 11:06 a.m., August 08, 2022, modified at 11:11 a.m., August 08, 2022
Morocco is experiencing exceptional inflation which should exceed 5.3% for the whole of 2022. As a result, the price of fuel has risen to 16 dirhams, or 1.50 euros per liter, and hundreds of thousands of Moroccans accuse their Prime Minister, Aziz Akhannouch, of being behind this increase and want him to resign.
Why are thousands of Internet users calling on social networks for the departure of the Moroccan Prime Minister?
The Kingdom is not immune to the inflation that rages everywhere in the world and should experience inflation at 5.3% over the whole year.
As a result, the price of fuel rises to 16 dirhams, or 1.50 euros per liter, in a country where the average salary is 270 euros per month.
>> Find Europe Matin in replay and podcast here
Anger explained by the second job of the Prime Minister
Current inflation is becoming insurmountable for the majority of Moroccans.
For several weeks the hashtag "#Dégage_Akhannouch" has been spreading: more than 600,000 accounts have shared it on the Facebook social network alone.
Anger explained by the Prime Minister's second job since he is the main shareholder of Afriquia, the leader of the Moroccan hydrocarbons market with Total and Shell.
Accused of raising prices to get rich
Aziz Akhannouch is therefore accused of raising prices at the pump to get rich.
For the moment this virtual campaign has not led to any demonstrations but has sparked a real controversy.
Morocco's official news agency denounced "a tendentious campaign" but no word from Aziz Akhannouch.
The government had announced monthly aid to the poorest, which ultimately never happened, in a country where nearly 500,000 people live on less than two dollars a day.