HIBAPRESS – Rabat
Moroccan citizens have demanded the dismissal of the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, against the backdrop of statements they considered offensive and provocative towards Moroccans living abroad, during his speech about the return of members of the community and competencies to the homeland.
These demands came after the minister stated that the return of community members to Morocco "is a natural thing and does not require any privileges or gifts," explaining that those who return to their country "do not offer gifts for which they deserve thanks, because they have returned home." The Minister of Industry and Trade added with a tone of disapproval: "Do I have to thank you for returning to your homeland?", continuing: "As if you gave me a gift?", before continuing by saying: "I also returned to my country." Mezzour continued in a sarcastic manner: "Thank you for coming and returning to your homeland," before confirming that "working for your home is a natural thing," adding "As if you gave me a gift by returning to Morocco?…Stay there!". Moroccan activists considered that these phrases diminish the value of the contributions of community members, both economically and investment-wise, as well as the annual financial transfers that constitute an important tributary to the national economy. Commentators on social media confirmed that the decision to return to Morocco, especially for competencies, is often accompanied by professional and social sacrifices, and cannot be reduced to being a mere "natural duty." Commentators called for the dismissal of the minister because his statements did not stop at being just a natural criticism of the group that demands to obtain "privileges" to return to Morocco, but reached the point of provocation, given the way Mezzour spoke and the style he used.
