Participants in the Socialist International meetings, organized in Rabat, firmly condemned the colonialist practices and war crimes perpetrated by the Israeli governmentLast Saturday, the Mohamed Aziz Lahbabi Cultural Centre in Témara was the scene of the inaugural session of the USFP/Skhirat-Témara regional congress, chaired by the First Secretary, Driss Lachguar, under the theme "No true development without good governance, territorial justice, and the valorization of human capital".
From the very first lines of his speech, the First Secretary anchored his remarks in the continuity of the strategic project "Rabat City of Light, Moroccan Capital of Culture", initiated by His Majesty the King in 2014. This project, a symbol of cultural influence and modernization, establishes the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region as a model of balanced development. For Driss Lachguar, this dynamic must be replicated and strengthened in neighboring localities such as Skhirate and Témara, which still face numerous constraints.
The Ittihadi leader highlighted the economic and social disparities that persist in these regions. He cited concrete examples such as the insufficiency of transport networks, limited access to basic infrastructure, and low attractiveness for foreign investors. By proposing an ambitious action plan, he insisted on the importance of mobilizing national and international resources to bridge these gaps. This necessity, he stressed, is all the more imperative in the face of sustained demographic growth, particularly in Témara, whose population aspires to dignified living conditions and increased economic opportunities. For him, this challenge transcends local governance alone: it is a national issue to ensure harmonious growth.
One of the most poignant criticisms formulated by Driss Lachguar concerned anarchic urbanization and its consequences on the social and economic fabric. "This disorderly proliferation, coupled with the illegal occupation of the public domain, reflects deep institutional failures," he indicated, before calling for rigorous management of territorial resources, insisting on the urgency of protecting the beaches and public spaces of Témara while promoting development projects beneficial to the population.
This alarming situation is, according to him, the result of corruption rooted among certain elected officials and administrative managers. To remedy this, he urged supporting honest leaders capable of responding to the aspirations of citizens with dedication and responsibility.
Addressing the sensitive issue of the reform of the Family Code, the USFP leader called for modernization based on coherence. He also castigated the ideological contradictions of the conservative current, which often hinders progress in terms of women's rights and gender equality.
The First Secretary did not fail to emphasize the dysfunctions observed in the courts, where succession rules and family disputes reveal gaps to be filled. By welcoming His Majesty the King's desire to revise the Family Code, he invited Moroccan experts and scholars to enrich this process with their skills. For him, this reform must reflect a national will to establish an egalitarian and just society, where men and women enjoy the same rights.
On the international level, Driss Lachguar praised the enlightened management of His Majesty the King, which has allowed Morocco to strengthen its position on the world stage. He also highlighted the active role of the USFP in partisan diplomacy, notably through the recent hosting of the Socialist International meetings in Rabat. This event was a major diplomatic success, bringing together representatives of socialist parties from around the world to defend common causes such as the territorial unity of countries and human rights.
The Ittihadi leader illustrated this success by recalling that the unanimity obtained during this event around Morocco's territorial integrity represents a significant advance in the country's international relations. He also specified that this type of event contributes to positioning Rabat as a hub for dialogue and international cooperation.
Regarding the Palestinian cause, the First Secretary reaffirmed Morocco's unwavering support. He denounced the war crimes perpetrated against the Palestinians while praising the Kingdom's efforts, under the chairmanship of the Al-Qods Committee, to provide essential humanitarian aid to Gaza. He also highlighted Morocco's diplomatic efforts, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, to actively defend the rights of the Palestinian people.
Driss Lachguar also took this opportunity to refute certain unfounded allegations: "Contrary to what some claim by asserting that the party invited an Israeli representative to participate in the work of the Socialist International meetings, the participants, gathered under the chairmanship of Pedro Sánchez, firmly condemned the colonialist practices and war crimes perpetrated by the Israeli government," he added, before concluding: "This unanimous condemnation reflects the SI's commitment to a just and lasting peace".
Mehdi Ouassat
