The residents of the Rio Residence in Aïn Diab are caught in a standoff between their elected homeowners' association and a second group, made up primarily of entrepreneurs, who are asserting their right to access communal services despite their outstanding debts. Since 2024, a standoff has been unfolding between the elected trustee of the Rio Residence in Aïn Diab, in Casablanca, and a group of entrepreneurs based in the residential complex. Among them are reportedly a Jordanian investor, formerly close to Aziz Akhannouch, as well as entrepreneurs from a major Saudi group, according to a resident who spoke to Yabiladi. The resident noted that the conflict has even escalated to the courts. In both the initial trial and the appeal, the court ruled in favor of the elected trustee, led by Nadia Tnihi. However, her opponents have allegedly resorted to the same tactics, even going so far as to fabricate a fake minutes report from an elective general assembly, contradicting the actual outcome of the last legally convened assembly held two weeks ago, the resident told Yabiladi. A power struggle at the heart of the residence According to the same source, the companies involved in the dispute are those operating within the residence, with outstanding dues exceeding 6 million dirhams. As a result, they have been denied certain services (parking, elevators, etc.) until their payments for maintenance and security are settled—prompting them to retaliate. One resident explained that an ordinary general assembly, representing 64% of the voters, reaffirmed Nadia Tnihi's election, despite the opposing camp allegedly being backed by local authority agents. These agents reportedly allowed the entrepreneurs to put themselves forward, even though regulations prohibit their eligibility as long as their arrears remain unpaid. Since then, the group of entrepreneurs has reportedly held a separate general assembly—without the other residents—electing a different board, according to minutes reviewed by Yabiladi. When contacted, the president of this second trustee group, which disputes Nadia Tnihi's legitimacy, did not respond to our calls. Meanwhile, the president of the elected trustee hopes for local authorities to intervene, enforce the law, and put an end to what she describes as the entrepreneurs' unlawful tactics.
