Officializing the Amazigh Language: The PAM’s Implementation Challenge

In its “Citizenship Pact,” the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has identified accelerating the official status of the Amazigh language as a major priority. For the party, Amazigh language and culture are essential components of Moroccan identity, and their promotion is a cornerstone of full citizenship.

Moving beyond mere declarations of intent, the PAM’s program proposes two concrete measures: the creation of a special 2-billion-dirham fund to support the use of the Amazigh language and its digital transition, and the activation of Article 34 of Organic Law 26.16. This article mandates the establishment of a permanent ministerial commission, chaired by the Head of Government, to monitor and evaluate the progress of this project.

However, these commitments raise questions regarding their practical implementation. Morocco is not starting from scratch; since the landmark Ajdir speech in 2001, the constitutionalization of the language in 2011, and the adoption of the organic law, the country has built an arsenal of institutions and mechanisms. The debate is no longer about the principle of officialization, but rather the feasibility and effectiveness of these newly proposed tools.

The proposed 2-billion-dirham fund is of particular interest. It remains unclear whether this will be an independent instrument or an expansion of the financial mechanism established within the Treasury in 2023. Doubling the annual budget from 1 billion to 2 billion dirhams must be more than just an accounting increase. It requires rigorous budget programming, clearly defined investment sectors, transparent governance, and measurable performance indicators.

Regarding the activation of Article 34, the challenge is not to create a new legal framework but to revitalize a body already provided for by law. The ministerial commission established under the El Otmani government has not met since April 2021. Its reactivation must aim to provide real inter-ministerial coordination to pull this project out of its current sectoral fragmentation and place it at the heart of government decision-making.

The experience of the current government led by Aziz Akhannouch shows that increasing budget allocations does not automatically guarantee a faster process. The bottleneck is not solely financial; it lies in governance, coordination, and human resource management.

What, then, will be the PAM’s unique contribution to ensure these promises do not stall during execution? The party must treat the El Otmani plan as a base to be updated and the Akhannouch administration’s actions as a record to be evaluated. The goal is to enter a phase focused on accountability and tangible impact.

Increasing the budget to 2 billion dirhams carries significant political weight, provided it answers fundamental questions: Which projects will be funded? What are the deadlines? Who is responsible for execution? Will the government publish a detailed, measurable annual report?

The advancement of the Amazigh language requires clear leadership, qualified expertise, and a precise timetable. The PAM’s “Citizenship Pact” must evolve from a political manifesto into an action-oriented contract. Having historically campaigned for the constitutionalization of the language, the party will be judged on its ability to transform commitments into tangible public policy.

The true test will not be the number of meetings held or the amount of funds allocated, but the effective presence of the Amazigh language in schools, administrations, the media, and the digital sphere. The challenge is to move from official status on paper to a reality experienced daily by citizens.

By Moustapha Antara

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