Anti-corruption push in Morocco: only 4 parties answer Transparency Maroc

This update focuses on Transparency Maroc parties. A recent initiative by Transparency Maroc to question political parties on their anti-corruption commitments has revealed a troubling reality: only 4 out of 12 parties answered, a signal that will concern many citizens, including Moroccans living abroad.

Transparency Maroc parties initiative largely ignored

The Moroccan Association for the Fight against Corruption sent a letter on 27 July to twelve national parties. The goal was to collect their positions on specific questions related to fighting corruption and protecting public funds.

At a press conference in Rabat presenting the first results and an initial reading of electoral programmes, Transparency Maroc announced that only four parties had replied:

• Union socialiste des forces populaires (USFP)
• Parti du progrès et du socialisme (PPS)
• Fédération de la gauche démocratique (FGD)
• Parti socialiste unifié (PSU)

The other parties contacted did not respond, despite Transparency Maroc’s commitment to publish all answers received and to name those that chose to remain silent.

Key political players stayed silent

According to Transparency Maroc, several major parties did not react to the letter, including:

• Rassemblement national des indépendants (RNI)
• Parti authenticité et modernité (PAM)
• Parti de l’Istiqlal (PI)
• Parti de la justice et du développement (PJD)
• Mouvement populaire (MP)
• Mouvement démocratique et social (MDS)
• Union constitutionnelle (UC)

The association says it delivered the letter to the headquarters of each party. It also recalls its initial pledge: to make public both the content of the responses and the list of formations that did not reply.

Beyond this breakdown, the Transparency Maroc parties initiative mainly highlights how slowly part of the political class reacts when confronted with demands for transparency and accountability.

Why this matters for citizens and Moroccans abroad

The questions sent to the parties were structured around three main themes. One of them deals with the legal framework for the role of civil society and associations in cases involving the protection of public funds. Another point addresses their ability to take part in legal action related to corruption.

For ordinary citizens, whether in Morocco or abroad, these issues are very concrete. Political parties’ approaches to transparency, oversight of public money and control of elected officials have a direct impact on service quality, trust in institutions and Morocco’s attractiveness for investment or a possible return.

For Moroccans living overseas, the fight against corruption is linked in particular to:

• the reliability of administrative procedures during visits and stays in Morocco,
• confidence that their remittances and investments are managed properly,
• the credibility of the institutions handling their property, business or inheritance files.

Tracking where parties stand on these matters helps Moroccans abroad identify which political actors genuinely place transparency at the heart of their agenda.

Building real political transparency will take time

The initiative launched by Transparency Maroc does not aim to replace institutions, but rather to push for a more demanding public debate on integrity in political life. The low response rate shows how far there is to go before transparency becomes a normal, everyday practice for parties.

For voters, including members of the Moroccan community abroad who follow developments at home closely, these elements can serve as a useful indicator when assessing the coherence between political speeches and political behaviour.

Detailed party responses, as well as the full list of those contacted, should be obtained directly from the association or through the official channels it highlights. In parallel, citizens can check official institutional websites, such as the Ministry in charge of Moroccans living abroad (https://www.mre.gov.ma/), to see what mechanisms exist for complaints, remedies and the protection of their rights.

In a context where trust is built over time, how parties react to the Transparency Maroc parties initiative will remain a key signal watched by civil society and voters, both inside and outside the country.

For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.