Sidi Ifni, Morocco- Abdeladim El Guerrouj, Moroccan Minister of Vocational Training, is entangled in a corruption scandal with many news outlets accusing him of using state funds to buy a large quantity of chocolate for personal use.
It is alleged that the Minister, who supposedly bought the chocolate on the occasion of his son’s birth, paid the bill for the chocolate, estimated at $4,000 US, with state funds.
The scandal, which has stirred controversy, puts the Islamist-led government in an embarrassing situation in light of its stated ‘priority” of fighting corruption..
“This is sheer corruption,” Souad Bahi, a history professor, told MWN. “This minister should be named the Minister of Chocolate, not Vocational Training. He is playing with fire in using the state funds,” she added.
This corruption case took place the same day of the appointment of the second edition of of the Islamist-led government when the minister was in charge of the Ministry of Public Service and the Modernization of Administration.
An investigation is expected to to reveal more details about the incident.
El Gerrouj’s conduct, which has gone viral on social media, has been interpreted by many as sheer corruption.
The case causes embarrassment within the rank of the PJD-led government whose members have been vocal in calling for good governance.
The parliamentary group of the PJD in the House of Representatives wrote to Abdelilah Benkirane, the head of government, demanding that the case be clarified.
The credibility of PJD-coalition is put to a test. The measure that will be taken by the government in case this alleged misuse of public funds is proved will show to what extent the head of government is determined to fight corruption.
Edited by Elisabeth Myers