Omission of the Amazigh Language at New Rabat Bus Station Sparks Outrage

Amazigh associations and networks have expressed deep shock following the inauguration of Rabat’s new bus station, where all signage inside the terminal, as well as surrounding road signs and access routes, was installed exclusively in Arabic and French. The complete exclusion of the Amazigh language comes despite its status as an official language of Morocco. Construction of the station was supervised by the Wilaya of Rabat in partnership with the municipal council and the Ministry of Equipment, Transport, and Logistics. In response, the signatory Amazigh associations and networks issued the following statement:

1. The approach taken by the three partner institutions in developing Rabat’s new bus station constitutes a blatant violation of the Constitution and Organic Law No. 26-16 governing the implementation of the official status of the Amazigh language. Published in the Official Gazette on October 1, 2019, this law was already in effect long before the signage for this project was designed and installed. This action also demonstrates a disregard for the commitments of the Moroccan state, royal speeches, and the Prime Minister’s circular instructing all public services to integrate the Amazigh language in accordance with the law.

2. This illegal act must not go unpunished. Public institutions violating national laws undermines the credibility and prestige of the state. Yet several institutions continue to perpetuate this pattern, treating the official status of the Amazigh language with inexplicable denial, contempt, and obstinacy.

3. The actions of the partner institutions amount to a blatant waste of public funds, as the state will now be forced to correct this error and replace all the signs. Article 27 (Chapter VII on the integration of the Amazigh language in public spaces) of the aforementioned organic law explicitly states: “The Amazigh language shall be used alongside Arabic on:

– Signage installed on the facades and inside the headquarters of public administrations, public services, public institutions and enterprises, constitutional bodies, and elected councils;

– Signage installed on the facades and inside the headquarters of Moroccan embassies and consulates abroad, as well as their affiliated services;

– Road signs and direction panels installed along roads, in bus stations, airports, ports, and public spaces.”

4. In light of the above, we call on the Prime Minister to intervene to rectify this serious error and irresponsible act by replacing the signage at the bus station and surrounding access routes to display both official languages, in full compliance with the law.

Should the relevant authorities fail to rectify this blatant violation of the Constitution and the law, Amazigh associations and networks are determined to initiate legal proceedings against the partner institutions responsible for the project, in accordance with the constitutional principle of accountability.

Signatory Associations:

Confederation of Amazigh Associations of Northern Morocco

“Tamunt n Ifus” Coordination of Amazigh Associations of the South

Summer University Association

Amazigh Observatory for Rights and Freedoms

Arabic version | French version