King Mohammed VI has summoned leaders of Moroccan political parties to the Royal Palace for a special meeting, according to news outlet “Al Yaoum 24.”
Sources of the newspaper said that during the impromptu meeting held this Saturday in Rabat discussed the seven-month Hirak movement, as many parties called for the King’s intervention to put an end to the ongoing situation of the Rif protests.
On Wednesday, the government coalition broke its silence and issued a communiqué, stressing the demonstrators’ right to protest for ‘legitimate’ social demands.
“The majority parties of the government have again stressed the right of protests to express legitimate social demands in accordance with legal procedures,” said the coalition following a meeting with the Head of Government, Saad Eddine Othmani, and Minister of State in charge of Human Rights, Mustapha Ramid.
Just a few days ago, leading activist of Nasser Zefzafi’s mother implored King Mohammed VI to release her incarcerated son, arrested by police on May 29. “We’re simple people, we have nothing, we own nothing and our children are unemployed. We just want the King to serve us justice.”
The seven months of protests came following the October death of ,Mouhcine Fikri, a fishmonger who was fatally crushed in a trash compactor while attempting to retrieve merchandise discarded by authorities.
The coalition has been criticized for its insufficient response to the tensions in Al Hoceima. After accusing the demonstrations of receiving foreign backing and “drifting towards separatism,” outraged protesters staged a large-scale march denying the charges and reiterating their demands for social and economic development.
Last week, a high ministerial delegation led by Minister of Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, traveled to Al Hoceima to “speed up development programs.”
However, tensions have grown over the past few days following the police’s pursuit and arrest of leading activist Nasser Zefzafi.
Zefzafi was taken into custody on Monday after interrupting a Friday sermon he felt was denouncing the “Harak” movement, and was transferred to Casablanca for investigation. He has been charged with “obstructing the right of worship” and “undermining state security.”
Zefzafi, and 30 other protesters, all of whom had been in court arrested for violence against security forces in Al Hoceima, are reportedly expected to appear in court on Monday. The trial will take place at Casablanca’s Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal.
