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| Africa North |
| Arab Spring Turmoil Mutes Morocco Protest Movement |
| 2014-02-20 |
| [An Nahar] When Arab Spring protests erupted in early 2011, Morocco's February 20 pro-reform movement mobilized mass demonstrations, but three years on its goals remain frustrated and regional turmoil has dampened demand for change. The movement that once brought tens of thousands onto the streets of main cities now musters just a few dozen activists to call for democratic reforms or denounce the high cost of living. "It does seem that as a movement, the February 20 movement hasn't gone anywhere, its demonstrations have ended, it hasn't drafted the same level of support ... that it initially attracted in early 2011," said analyst Issandr Amrani of the International Crisis Group (ICG). Since the protest group was born, many in Morocco have watched warily as uprisings that swept away decades-old dictatorships in other North African countries, notably in Libya and Egypt, gave way to violence and political upheaval. "That moment in early 2011 of euphoria across the Arab world is gone, and for now it appears that however unsatisfied they may be with the results a lot of Moroccans would rather not rock the boat," said Amrani. One young activist not afraid to do so is rapper Lhaqed, an outspoken voice of the February 20 movement who still rails against the system, despite being tossed in the clink ... anything you say can and will be used against you, whether you say it or not... for a year in 2012 for defaming the police in his songs. "The authorities are determined to prevent politically engaged artists from expressing themselves," the rapper, whose real name is Mouad Belghouat, told Agence La Belle France Presse last week, after the launch of his new album "Waloo" (Nothing) in Casablanca was blocked by the police. "The only change after February 20 is that the citizens today talk openly about other things, they protest in the slums, whole neighborhoods take to the streets," he said. "But as for those who rule the country, there's been no change at all in my view. We have no independent judiciary, no free press, corruption remains rife and the country's money is stolen," the rapper added. Hamza Mahfoud, a young journalist who was among the original February 20 coordinators, admits the experience in other Arab Spring countries, from the army's takeover in Egypt to the rise of radical Islamists in Syria, has been a "big problem" for the movement, discouraging many in Morocco from pressing for change. But he insists change has taken place within Moroccan society. "Even if it's not enough, the movement prompted the regime to introduce a new constitution," he said. |
| Posted by:Fred |