On Tuesday, Finance and Economy Minister called those heading a boycott campaign against three companies «M'Daouikh» (foolish). The adjective used by Mohamed Boussaid is similar to the jargon utilized by former PM Benkirane. El Othmani's cabinet has quickly reacted to a campaign, launched a few days ago on social media, inviting Moroccan consumers to boycott products sold by three major companies, namely mineral bottled water producer Sidi Ali, diary company Centrale Laitière, and fuel supplier Afriquia gaz. During a weekly session held in the House of Councilors Tuesday, April 24th, Economy and Finance Minister Mohamed Boussaid had the opportunity to fight back. Answering a question asked by the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), he urged Moroccan consumers to ignore these calls, asking them to encourage and back local businesses. The minister affirmed that the companies targeted by this boycott campaign «are structured, pay their taxes and provide job opportunities». Boussaid concluded his statement by calling those who are being part of the campaign «M'Daouikh» (foolish). Boussaid using Benkirane's vocabulary The adjective used by Boussaid yesterday reminds us of the vocabulary often utilized by the ousted Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane. Through his way of describing opponents, and events the Justice and Development Party's former Secretary General became known for his unique jargon. It is somehow, unusual to hear a National Rally of Independents minister picking up some of Benkirane's habits, knowing that the two parties are not on good terms. Mohamed Boussaid was, moreover, highly criticized in 2015 by the Islamists for intensifying the clash between Fisheries minister Aziz Akhannouch and Benkirane, over a 55 billion dirham sum generated to develop the rural areas in Morocco. However, some believe that the viral campaign is initially launched by youths from the PJD, arguing that one of the three boycotted companies belong to Aziz Akhannouch while the second is owned by the Bensaleh family. In October, members of the Islamist party had claimed on social media, the resignation of the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries from the Benkirane's II government.
