Starting Friday, April 20, 2018 social networks under the # Khalih_Yrib and # Mouqatiâoune hastag, the boycott targeting three major Moroccan brands has grown.
According to the Arabic-language “Akhbar Al Yaoum”, Afriqia, would lead the losers, with 145 million cents of losses per day. The fuel distribution company of billionaire Aziz Akhannouch, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and President of the party RNI (National Rally of Independents), is particularly targeted.
The boycott also targets the brand “Sidi Ali” of the company “Mineral Waters of Oulmès” group Holmarcom which is member Miriam Bensalah, outgoing president of the Moroccan employers (CGEM). Another company targeted, Centrale Danone (milk and dairy products) which has been responsible for 15 to 20% of losses since the beginning of the campaign.
The affair took another turn with the exit of the purchasing director of the Franco-Moroccan group, Adil Benkirane, who taxed the boycotters of “traitors of the nation”. Previously, the Minister of Economy Mohamed Boussaid, had blasted the action of “crazy young people”. An opinion that does not share the Minister of employment and professional integration, Mohamed Yatim (PJD Islamist party), who felt that this boycott reflects the strength, will and foresight of Moroccans.
In the political class, opinions are divided. “Moroccan democracy must be able to contain such expressions and try to find the right answers. That said, inequalities are blatant and it is time to reinvigorate the democratic and social model of our country, “said Nabil Benabdallah, president of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), which openly supports the boycott.
Istiqlal Secretary-General Nizar Baraka sees it as “a new means of making social demands,” calling on the government to “seize the message.”
For her part, Nabila Mounib, general secretary of the United Socialist Party (PSU), also attacked the Bensaleh family, without naming it: “It is not possible for a family, which founded the first party in Morocco is rewarded in this way. This family takes advantage of mineral and aerated waters and sells them to Moroccans at exorbitant prices in a poor quality plastic “. And to insist: “We should put an end to the monopoly of companies in all sectors in order to have a competitive economy and lower prices of consumer goods,” she added.
According to Tel Quel, the boycott is initiated by Wavo groups, with 750,000 fans and Casa Bel Visa (700,000 fans) followed by a string of others. Initially, the reason was simple: challenge their policy of high prices. On arrival, the speculation is numerous. According to a survey conducted by Averty, April 28 and 29, out of a sample of 1072 people, 79.8% of Moroccans support the boycott.
From there to Facebook to the streets, there is only one step that the anonymous initiators of this unprecedented campaign dream to cross.
