The government council, chaired by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, convened on Thursday, May 22, 2025, to discuss draft legal texts and international agreements, as well as to approve appointments to senior positions.
The council opened with a speech by the Prime Minister, highlighting the importance of the draft decree for implementing alternative penalties as part of the activation of Law No. 43.22, which will come into effect next August. This initiative is part of a comprehensive reform of the justice system aimed at reducing prison overcrowding and enhancing rehabilitation, in line with royal directives for a renewed and effective criminal policy.
The government also approved a new decree outlining the implementation of alternative penalties, integrating electronic monitoring and clarifying the roles of various stakeholders to ensure better coordination among all relevant institutions.
In another segment, the Minister of Agriculture presented a new national program for restructuring the national livestock herd, with a total cost of approximately 6.2 billion dirhams over two years. The program was initiated under royal instructions and focuses on five main axes:
1. Rescheduling the debts of about 50,000 livestock breeders, costing up to 700 million dirhams to be borne by the state.
2. Supporting feed by reducing the sale prices of barley and compound feed, costing 2.5 billion dirhams.
3. Tagging female livestock and compensating breeders with 400 dirhams for each animal not slaughtered.
4. A preventive vaccination campaign for 17 million sheep and goats against drought-related diseases.
5. Technical support for improving breeds through artificial insemination and technical follow-up, costing 50 million dirhams.
The council also approved a decree to establish new districts and leaderships in the regions of Jorjdane, Midelt, and Taroudant to enhance the management of local administration and respond to demographic and social changes.
Diplomatically, the council reviewed two agreements with Saudi Arabia, the first concerning the transfer of sentenced individuals and the second regarding judicial assistance in criminal matters.
The council concluded its session by approving appointments to senior positions in strategic educational and administrative institutions, including:
– Hamza Lotf as Director of Digitalization and Information Systems (Prime Minister’s Office)
– Abdel Aziz Harraiqi as Director of Hassan II Institute of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
– Fouad Machrouh as Director of the Higher Institute of Commerce and Business Administration in Rabat
– Ahmed Moghni as Director of the National School of Commerce and Management in Tangier
– Nawal El Henawi as Director of Strategies and Information Systems at the Ministry of Higher Education
The council emphasized the government’s commitment to effectively implementing the recommendations and directives of King Mohammed VI, and its readiness to mobilize all necessary resources to achieve the objectives of these projects.
