Latest news with #ElMansouri
Ya Biladi
4 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan Urban Planning Minister denies conflict in Marrakech land sale amid Jabaroot leaks
Amid the controversy triggered by leaks from a group calling itself «Jabaroot», which claims to be «Algerian», targeting Morocco's Minister of National Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing, and City Policy, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri has issued an official response denying any suspicion of conflict of interest related to a major real estate sale involving her family near Marrakech. She emphasized that the transaction was legal, transparent, and had no connection to her government role. The leaked document, widely circulated online, originates from a notary's office in Marrakech and confirms that El Mansouri and her brothers, Zouhair and Saad, sold more than 66 hectares of land in 2023 in the Tassoultante, a small town near Marrakech, for a total of 266.17 million dirhams. The documents indicate that the land is officially classified as agricultural and not eligible for construction under current zoning rules. The contract notes that the buyers were explicitly informed by the notary to check with authorities whether construction would be permitted, and that they would be responsible for doing so. Critics have since accused El Mansouri of using her influence after the land was reportedly converted into two real estate projects. In her statement, El Mansouri stressed that the property is neither state-owned nor under her ministerial oversight. She explained that it was inherited from her late father, Moulay Abderrahmane El Mansouri, who purchased the land from private individuals in 1978. «Contrary to what's been falsely claimed in these malicious leaks, the land was not acquired from the state or any public institution», she said in remarks reviewed by Yabiladi. She added that the land was sold legally by the heirs following their mother's death in 2023, with all transactions properly declared to tax authorities. «The family's appointed agent sold the land in a transparent, legal manner. All sales were declared to the tax office, which collected the appropriate fees. The proceeds were reinvested in Marrakech in clearly declared and legitimate projects», Fatima Zahra El Mansouri. Mansouri further clarified that the property lies outside the boundaries of the Marrakech municipality, which she formerly led as mayor, and stressed that the deal had no link to her political or ministerial roles. She denounced the leaks as part of a «malicious campaign» aimed at damaging her reputation and that of her family. The minister also revealed that her family's legal representative has filed a complaint against those responsible for publishing the documents, which she said were «neither verified nor truthful».
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Marrakech Mayor El Mansouri Refutes Allegations Over Family Land Sales
Rabat – Fatima Zahra El Mansouri, Minister of National Planning and Mayor of Marrakech, has publicly addressed recent allegations circulating on social media regarding the sale of family-owned land in the outskirts of Marrakech, denouncing them as baseless and malicious. In a detailed statement shared with the public, El Mansouri clarified that the land in question is part of a private inheritance belonging to her late father, Si Abdelrahman El Mansouri, who legally purchased the property in 1978 from private owners—not from the state or any public institution, contrary to the claims being spread. 'These lands are private property, not state-owned nor part of tribal or communal lands,' El Mansouri emphasized, noting that the inheritance process began only after her mother's death in 2023, in accordance with Moroccan legal procedures. The family-appointed legal representative carried out the land sales transparently and declared all transactions to the tax authorities, which collected the dues accordingly. El Mansouri also stressed that all proceeds were reinvested into legal and declared projects in Marrakech. The land is located in the rural commune of Tassoultante, under zoning regulations approved in 2017, before El Mansouri held any ministerial or mayoral office. Rejecting what she described as 'defamatory campaigns' targeting her and her extended family, El Mansouri reaffirmed her compliance with legal requirements. She said she declared her assets to the Court of Auditors since first being elected mayor in 2009—a process that included this land and is accessible to the public under the right to information. 'Constructive and responsible criticism is welcome,' El Mansouri added, 'but my integrity and my family's reputation must not be dragged through unfounded rumors.' She confirmed that the family's legal representative has filed a lawsuit against those behind the misleading leaks. El Mansouri urged journalists, civil society actors, and the public to verify information before sharing it. Instead of engaging in unproven allegations and crediting smear campaigns, she concluded, journalists' work should be in service of transparency, truth, and the public good. Tags: family lands el mansouriFatima Ezzahra El Mansourimarrakech mayor
Morocco World
17-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
PAM Leadership Receives Jacob Zuma
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, coordinator of PAM's collective leadership, which also includes Minister of Culture Mohamed Mehdi Bensaïd, met with Zuma to discuss prospects for strengthening cooperation and partnership between the two political formations and their respective countries on various matters of mutual interest. Speaking to the press following the meeting, Zuma described the talks with PAM officials as 'fruitful and forward-looking,' highlighting the leading roles Morocco and South Africa can play in advancing development across the African continent. Zuma also commended Morocco's economic progress, describing the country as one of the most dynamic economies on the continent. He further emphasized the need for African countries to unite, take ownership of their development and destiny, and fully leverage their resources free from foreign interference. Zuma stressed the importance of engaging younger generations in shaping Africa's future, noting that the two parties agreed to exchange visits and establish a platform for dialogue and consultation on issues of shared concern. In a similar statement, El Mansouri said the meeting formed part of parallel diplomacy efforts aimed at bolstering cooperative ties, particularly with countries in southern Africa. She noted that the approach aligns with the far-sighted vision of King Mohammed VI to strengthen South-South cooperation as a strategic choice for the Kingdom, to build a shared future based on cooperation, solidarity, and integration among peoples. El Mansouri also noted that the position expressed by Zuma's party in support of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara represents a major boost to joint efforts between the two countries and their respective political forces. Earlier in the week, following his talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita, Zuma said his party considers Morocco's autonomy plan 'a pathway to meaningful local governance for the populations of the Sahara region, while preserving Morocco's sovereignty over the territory.' MWN with MAP
Morocco World
29-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Housing Support Program Benefits 48,000 Recipients, Injects $380 Million
Doha – Morocco's Direct Housing Support Program has reached 48,000 beneficiaries since its launch in January 2024, with funding totaling MAD 3.8 billion ($380 million), according to Fatima Zahra El Mansouri, Minister of National Territory Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy. Speaking at the House of Representatives during an oral questions session on Monday, El Mansouri revealed that the program has received over 128,500 applications, including 22% from Moroccans residing abroad. '54% of beneficiaries received support valued at MAD 70,000 ($7,000), while 46% obtained MAD 100,000 ($10,000), covering at least one-third of housing acquisition costs for this category,' the minister stated. The program, which began on January 2, 2024, rests on five key pillars, moving from tax exemptions to direct consumer purchasing power support. It aims to enable low and middle-income families to access housing while diversifying residential offerings to include both apartments and individual houses. Read also: Morocco's Housing, Medical Support Programs Reached Milestones in 2024 El Mansouri noted that the initiative has eliminated the previous requirement of building 500 units to qualify for benefits, thus encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises to participate. 'More than 80% of companies involved are classified as small and medium enterprises, breaking the monopoly that large corporations previously held over housing programs,' she said. The economic impact has been significant, with cement consumption increasing by 11.64% in February compared to the same period last year. Housing loans rose by 2%, while loans to property developers increased by 6.62%. Geographically, beneficiaries are concentrated in three main regions: Casablanca-Settat (35%), Fez-Meknes (31%), and Rabat-Sale-Kenitra (12%). The minister added that the program has addressed housing needs in cities that had received insufficient benefits from previous initiatives, including Fez, Settat, El Jadida, Benslimane, Oujda, Berkane, and Taza. She also mentioned that the digitization of the application process has simplified procedures and ensured transparency in the distribution of benefits. 'In addition to this program, the new approach to combating slums has revitalized the social housing program, allowing us to reach 90,000 government-supported units in 2024,' El Mansouri concluded. Tags: Direct Housing Assistancehousing in Morocco
