Moroccan Authorities Ramp Up Repression Against Figuig Hirak Movement Amidst Growing Opposition

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | December 15th, 2024 — The ongoing struggle of Figuig’s Hirak movement, which is steadfastly opposing the privatization of water resources, has become a glaring example of the Moroccan government’s relentless crackdown on dissent. The Hirak, with its growing national and international support, faces severe repression from the Makhzen regime, which has intensified its efforts to crush local protests by deploying both legal and extrajudicial tactics.

The coalition supporting the Hirak in Figuig, including left-wing political parties, labor unions, and social organizations, has kept the pressure on the authorities, most recently through a caravan launched in mid-November 2024 from Casablanca. This caravan has traversed multiple Moroccan cities, underscoring the widespread discontent over the privatization of water services and the broader economic exploitation of vulnerable regions.

Figuig, a border town located near Algeria, has seen its citizens rise up in opposition to the local government’s decision to privatize water management by entrusting it to the private company “Groupe Al-Sharq Distribution.” This decision, which the locals argue is an extension of a broader neoliberal agenda, has ignited mass protests, including general strikes, as residents decry the loss of control over their vital water resources. The protests have entered their second year since the introduction of the controversial regional multiservice companies (SRM) law in July 2023, which facilitates privatization schemes for essential services like water, electricity, sanitation, and public lighting.

The Moroccan authorities, desperate to quell dissent, have employed a systematic campaign of intimidation, misinformation, and legal repression. Among the key figures in the Figuig protest movement is Mohamed Brahimi, known by his alias “Movo.” A prominent activist, Movo was arrested and initially sentenced to three months in prison for his role in organizing protests against the water privatization scheme. However, the authorities extended his sentence to eight months following an appeal, a decision made during a period of heightened tension between the state and protestors.

Movo’s release in October 2024 was met with a massive public reception, as he returned to his community as a symbol of defiance against the authoritarian tactics of the Makhzen. His imprisonment, along with the arrest and sentencing of other activists such as Halima Zaid, who was given a six-month suspended sentence, highlights the regime’s desperate attempts to break the momentum of the Figuig Hirak movement.

Despite the brutal crackdown, the resistance in Figuig remains undeterred. The ongoing protests have drawn widespread attention to the dire consequences of water privatization, drawing parallels with the failures seen in other major cities like Casablanca, Rabat, and Tangier, where privatization has led to financial mismanagement, environmental degradation, and social unrest.

The resistance in Figuig stands as a testament to the resilience of the Moroccan people in the face of systemic repression. As the Hirak movement continues to gain traction, it highlights the stark contrast between the oppressive regime’s actions and the democratic aspirations of ordinary Moroccans who refuse to be silenced.

The Makhzen regime’s continued repression in Figuig serves as a stark reminder of the Moroccan government’s determination to prioritize profit over the well-being of its citizens. Despite the state’s attempts to suppress dissent, the spirit of resistance in Figuig only grows stronger.

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