'Leave!': Furious Moroccans force prime minister out of music festival over soaring prices

Morocco's prime minister was forced out of a festival over the weekend after angry citizens berated the politician over soaring fuel and food prices.

Aziz Akhannouch, whose party won the most seats in September's parliamentary elections, made an exit at the Timitar music festival on Saturday, in the southern city of Agadir, after the crowd chanted for him to "leave".

Social media users described his attendance as "provocative" with the chant "Akhnoush, leave" becoming a hashtag on Arabic and French social media.

Akhannouch was escorted out of the venue by security as anger over the dire economic situation escalated.

جمهور تيميتار أكادير يطرد #أخنوش من المنصة و يرفع شعار "أخنوش إرحل في وجهه#اخنوش_إرحل pic.twitter.com/NYQ5YILoai

— Iqbal boufous (@IqbalBoufous) July 16, 2022

Only in Morocco 🇲🇦:
The prime minister ownes the biggest fuel company of the Country and plays with the lives of people by putting the prices he wants.

A thread 🧵1/5#7dh_Gazoil#8dh_Essence #Dégage_Akhannouch#أخنوش_إرحل pic.twitter.com/tNuPUJUxFq

— v8.simo (@Moramdane1) July 16, 2022

Agadir is considered an electoral stronghold for Akhannouch’s National Rally of Independents party, which won 102 of the 395 parliamentary seats.

Moroccans have for months demanded the billionaire prime minister resign in light of the worsening socio-economic situation, worsened by the war in Ukraine and other factors.

Inflation in the North African kingdom has impacted most food items, mineral water, building materials, herd fodder, schoolbooks, fuel prices, and more.

Akhannouch owns Morocco's market-leading petrol station operator, Afriquia, which has placed him at the heart of a debate about the conflict between business and politics. Moroccans accuse him of benefitting off the backs of struggling citizens and failing to meet his promises to improve living conditions.