23 Associations Urge Government to Adopt Emergency Measures for Amazigh Language Officialization

A memorandum addressed to the Head of Government, signed by twenty-three Amazigh organizations and associations, has returned the effective implementation of the official status of the Amazigh language to the heart of public debate. The signatories are demanding that the government adopt nine urgent measures. These include the nationwide expansion of Amazigh language instruction, strengthening its presence in the media, administration, and the justice system, and the creation of a special support fund. They also called for the activation of coordination and monitoring mechanisms as stipulated by Organic Law No. 26.16.

The memorandum, submitted to the Head of Government, proposes a roadmap to transition from the constitutional and legal recognition of the Amazigh language to its concrete and comprehensive application across various sectors and institutions. The demands are based on Article 5 of the Constitution and the provisions of the organic law which sets the stages for implementing the official character of the Amazigh language, as well as the modalities for its integration into education and priority areas of public life.

In the education sector, the signatory organizations advocate for the horizontal and vertical generalization of Amazigh language teaching across all school cycles, including preschool. They insist on the adoption of an emergency program that respects the established legal timeline. The memorandum also calls for the creation of monitoring and evaluation cells at central, regional, and provincial levels, an increase in the number of positions dedicated to specialized teachers, the strengthening of initial and continuing training, and the provision of Amazigh language instruction to members of the Moroccan community living abroad.

Regarding media and culture, the note calls for strengthening the “Tamazight” television channel and ensuring compliance with the specifications regarding the presence of the Amazigh language on other national channels. The proposals include the creation of regional Amazigh television stations and the integration of the language into regional radio broadcasts. Furthermore, the signatories demand the establishment of a central unit for Amazigh information and the institution of equality between the two official languages in the support of cultural and creative projects, such as publishing, theater, and the arts. Finally, they emphasize the need to update Moroccan history and preserve the names of Moroccan places and personalities.

On the financial front, the associations urge the government to fulfill its commitment to create a special fund to support the use of the Amazigh language, with an estimated budget of two billion dirhams. These resources should be prioritized toward the digital transition of the language and equipping administrations and public services with the necessary linguistic and human resources to welcome citizens, while ensuring transparent management.

At the same time, the memorandum calls for accelerating the application of Article 34 of Organic Law No. 26.16 by reactivating the Permanent Ministerial Commission under the Head of Government. This body must ensure coordination between ministerial departments, monitor the execution of measures related to the officialization of the language, and prepare periodic reports on the progress of these projects.

Concerning administration, public services, and justice, the note highlights the imperative to mobilize civil servants and staff who are proficient in both spoken and written Amazigh (using the Tifinagh script). It recommends the establishment of continuous training for public officials and invites the private sector to adopt similar measures. The use of both official languages in administrative documents and transactions is also demanded, as is the fulfillment of the requirements for Amazigh-speaking reception staff within public institutions.

The signatory organizations assert that the activation of the official character of the Amazigh language must be based on a “citizenship approach” encompassing all Moroccans across the entire territory, rather than being limited to Amazigh-speaking areas. They insist on the right of non-speakers to learn the language, arguing that linguistic and territorial justice requires moving beyond formal and bureaucratic measures to link legal commitments to clear execution and financing mechanisms.

The memorandum calls on the Head of Government’s office to adopt these proposals as a roadmap to accelerate the global implementation of the official status of the Amazigh language, thereby guaranteeing linguistic and cultural equality and the preservation of the plurality of Moroccan identity.

The list of signatories includes the Confederation of Amazigh Associations of the North, the Confederation of Amazigh Associations of Southern Morocco, the Center for Amazigh, Historical and Environmental Studies, and the Tamaynut Organization. They are joined by various coordination bodies and cultural clubs, such as the National Coordination of Amazigh Language Teachers, the National Union of Amazigh-Speaking Reception Staff in Public Administrations, and the Tirra Association of Amazigh Language Writers.

List of organizations and associations signing the memorandum:

Confederation of Amazigh Associations of the North (Nador).

Confederation of Amazigh Associations of Southern Morocco (Agadir).

Center for Amazigh, Historical and Environmental Studies (Agadir).

Tamaynut Organization – Federal Bureau.

Aghboula Association for Culture and Development (Agadir).

Tilila Association for Culture and Social Development (Agadir).

National Union of Amazigh-Speaking Reception Staff in Public Administrations and Establishments (Rabat).

Noureddine Saïl Film Club.

National Coordination of Amazigh Language Teachers (Rabat).

Amghar Association (Khénifra).

Regional Initiatives Association for Development and Communication.

Tirra Association (Amazigh Language Writers).

Qatrat Amal Association (Agadir).

Akaplus Club (Agadir).

Al-Wiam Association for Culture and Art (Agadir).

Timoulay Amazigh Space Association.

Abaraz Association for Artistic Creation.

Tamkrt Association for Culture and Development (Chtouka Aït Baha).

Aftas Association (Taghazout).

Taghazout Residents Association for Development and Cooperation.

Tilelli n Adrar Cultural and Social Association (Aït Baha).

Tinmel Coordination for the Defense of Amazigh Language Teaching in Moroccan Schools.

Assidd Association (Meknès).

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