After Dakhla, Boujdour, Laâyoune, and Smara, the Minister of Justice and Liberties, Mustapha Ramid, arrived in Tan Tan where the welcome, without being warm, was at least hot, if not very hot. Slogans were shouted and placards brandished at the entrance to the court of first instance of Tan Tan, which Mustapha Ramid visited as he did in all other cities in the Southern provinces as part of his first official visit to the institutions under his department. Loudspeakers broadcast slogans denouncing the mismanagement, favouritism, and injustice that have been increasing since the advent of the Benkirane government.
The minister was accompanied by the presidents of the municipal councils of Al Ouattia and the rural councils of Ch’Bika and Lamsid, as well as the president of the provincial council, the president of the Tan Tan court, and the King's prosecutor. As soon as he arrived at the courthouse, clashes began. Representatives of local human rights associations expressed their anger at the refusal of the security forces to let them accompany the minister, who ordered the King's prosecutor to seize the loudspeakers used by court clerks and other prosecution staff.
In the hall of the palace, the minister noticed the absence of seating for waiting as well as a sound system in the various courtrooms. He gave instructions for this equipment to be installed, as well as the fitting out of a place of worship. The minister, who was expected in the late morning, took a break at the governor's office and did not arrive at the court until 4 p.m., thus marking the punctuality that characterises our leaders. Evading a question asked about the reasons for this delay, the minister indicated that the visit to the Southern provinces is part of those he proposes to carry out in all the courts of the Kingdom. He indicated the upcoming holding of a conference on justice and the media and that, within the framework of the restructuring of the courts, a service will be created to allow communication between the justice system and the press.
Before closing this visit, which was characterised by an unprecedented deployment of security forces, the minister received citizens who complained about the injustice prevailing in Tan Tan, which they say has allowed certain elected officials to dispossess them of their land. Passing in front of the group of civil servants who were shouting that the court belongs neither to Benkirane nor to the PJD, the minister held up his fingers in a zero sign. Previously, he had ordered the arrest of all those who attempted to enter the courtroom, which had been closed by the security forces.
In Guelmim, where he landed the next day, the minister had to face several dozen disgruntled people, including representatives of unemployed graduates, the disabled, and litigants waiting for the execution of judgments against the Grands Moulins de Guelmim. Not to mention the members of the Association of Victims of Injustice in Guelmim. Among these protesters, some wore masks signifying that they did not want to speak but held up banners asking for an end to the negligence they are victims of and for justice to be served. In Sidi Ifni, another stop on the minister's tour, the discontent was not the preserve of civil servants alone, but a large part of the city's population was also protesting against the injustices they are victims of.
Like his colleague in National Education, Mohamed El Ouafa, the Minister of Justice and Liberties was, apparently, not welcome in the cities of the South.
News 03 Jan 2013 3 min read
Mustapha Ramid heckled: The Minister of Justice persona non grata in the Saharan provinces

