Moroccans protest cost of livings despite state ban on demonstrations

Moroccan trade union activists defied a protest ban on Sunday to denounce surging costs of food and fuel prices ahead of the 12th anniversary of the 20 February movement, the Moroccan version of the 2011 region's uprisings.

Around the North African kingdom, protesters from the Democratic Labour Confederation (CDT) staged rallies outside their offices in the country's main cities "following the decision of the authorities to ban marches," senior CDT member Othman Baka told The New Arab.

Morocco's ministry of interior said the marches were banned due to a "health state of emergency" put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic, which was still in force, according to the letter the ministry sent to CDT.

Over the past two years, the government continued to renew the state of emergency every month despite a significant decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases reported daily. 

In the capital Rabat, tens of demonstrators, surrounded by police officers, chanted against "the deterioration of purchasing power" and called for demolishing "the corrupt state."

"We are here to protest the government's failing policy that privileged exporting goods to foreign countries and leave the people struggling to afford basic needs," Baka told the TNA.

Over the past months, Morocco has witnessed a never-ending skyrocketing in gas prices despite calls for caps on energy firms' profits. 

Soaring food costs recently fueled the crisis, stiffing anti-state criticism from trade unions, the opposition, the media, and celebrities.

According to the World Bank, inflation peaked at 8.3 per cent at the end of 2022, perpetuated by the effects of the war in Ukraine and shifts in global supply chains.

Rabat has blamed recent price increases on speculation on essential goods.

Last Thursday, the government spokesman Mustapha Baitas announced the seizure of 192 tonnes of "basic goods."

Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has promised to "strengthen market control" and lower prices in the coming days and subsidies have been issued for basic necessities such as petrol, gas and flour.

Moroccans are set to march today, Monday, to mark the twelve anniversary of the country's version of the 2011 region uprisings, when several factions in the kingdom united to attempt to overthrow autocracy and achieve social justice.