The Association of Elected Officials of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) has issued a statement denouncing what it described as «threats from the Prime Minister» directed at Khalid Tikoukin, head of the Tabant (rural commune in Azilal Province), who recently led a protest march by residents of Aït Bouguemez to Azilal to present a list of local demands. During last Tuesday's monthly session on general policy at the House of Councillors, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch called on Tikoukin to «take responsibility», stating, «The political representative of the region must advocate for projects. If he doesn't, he will be held accountable». He dismissed the Aït Bouguemez protest as a mere political maneuver by the municipal leader. In response, the PJD's Association of Elected Officials condemned the remarks as «offensive», describing them as «an unprecedented attack and a direct threat» against an elected official. The association strongly criticized what it called the Prime Minister's «threatening and targeted rhetoric» toward a local official «democratically elected and committed to defending the interests of residents and voicing their legitimate demands». It warned that such behavior constitutes «a serious breach of the principle of the independence of local authorities and a departure from the ethics of responsible governance». The association added that «resorting to threats and escalation is unbefitting of government leadership» and called for addressing the deep structural challenges faced by rural and mountainous municipalities instead.
