Interview with PAM Secretary General, Abdellatif Ouahbi : “Our party is the equivalent of a volcano on the edge of erupting”

PAM Secretary General is all smiles as the date for the long-awaited elections approaches, reassuring that the party is well and all set to prepare for the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, no potential alliances have been revealed so far, for the party’s program and candidacy lists are yet to be unveiled by the end of May.

Several Northern NGOs stipulate that PAM aims at instrumentalizing the debate on the legalization of cannabis for electoral purposes. How do you respond?

As PAM militants, we denounce taking part in such controversial acts, for our party is committed to the non-instrumentalization of any means thereby. Ever since its creation, our party has been approaching the question on cannabis from different angles, in the prospect of finding the most proper solutions to this issue. The question on cannabis – I must recall – is a very delicate subject matter. Cannabis is no more a moral question; therefore, we can not assume whether it is legal or not. However, it is safe to say that our party’s proposal with regard to the legalization of cannabis does not stipulate legalizing its use and consumption as well.

Meanwhile, we believe that Morocco’s security and repressive approach is not the right solution to the question at hand. Upon reviewing Afghanistan’s and Lebanon’s policies stipulating the burning of cannabis fields within their respective territories, we came to realize that the outcome of such a decision was far from convincing. Thus, it is better for all parties to establish a legal and productive approach that puts the use of cannabis within its proper context.

Like what for instance?

The pharmaceutical field, for example, can make good use of cannabis as part of cancer treatment. The latter can also be processed in cosmetics. Our approach with regard to cannabis stipulates benefiting from the various aspects this plant is likely to bring upon in terms of development, for our country in general, and northern provinces in particular. It is up to our specialists to find the right formulas, yet, this shall not turn into an electoral question.

How can you describe PAM’s preparations?

PAM militants are currently preparing for the elections like they should: we have put into place two ad hoc committees; one in charge of the preliminary lists for candidates, while the other is expected to work out the party’s program in its various political, economic, social and logistical aspects. With regard to candidacies, we shall recall that the National Commission has practically completed its work. There remains the validation framework that we have not decided upon yet, as we stand torn between the national council and the political bureau. However, it is safe to say that this will all be sorted out as soon as possible so that we can complete our lists. We shall also point to the fact that the logistics and financial resources committee is still working on its tasks, at a time where the program committee has already completed its mission. We are required to discuss these matters within our party’s structures in order to announce our program to the public by the end of May.

What are the main aspects of your programs?

We are still elaborating our program to match our expectations; thus, we can not say for sure what aspects it shall cover. However, I can assure you that there are some pretty daring social, employment, and health measures that require upgrading. Our main objective is to develop a program which takes into account the current situation, provided Morocco’s health crisis. In other words, a program that is most likely to revive the economy.

Shall we expect to see some new candidates for the upcoming elections, or are you going to rely on the same old officials for this term as well?

While preparing for the upcoming elections, I was looking forward to our party to nominate new candidates at a rate of 50%. Unfortunately, we did not go through with this vision, but we managed to place between 20 and 30 new candidates on our electoral lists (which is pretty decent if you ask me), provided that our party’s young and female militants are to be prioritized.

In the midst of your preparations for the elections, we learned that several PAM militants within your structures in the north walked out on the party in protest against the regional coordinator… What is your party’s situation actually like in light of these resignations?

The party’s situation is quite stable. Of course, there are a few internal issues here and there, but it is not something we can’t fix. Our party is the equivalent of “a volcano that is about to erupt”, and it is up for PAM’s politburo to put this energy into good use. Ever since our last assembly, the points of view from within our party have become more and more adequate, provided that until recently, most of our decisions were taken behind closed doors. Today, all of our militants are welcome to take part in our debates, for they are all free to express their views openly. In fact, PAM militants enjoy the right to criticize the running of our party as long as they do not tend to assault or attack their fellow patriots. Besides, it shall be noted that most of our militants have submitted their candidacies for the upcoming elections.

The National Commission fought hard in order to make the final lists. I believe that all the good signs are there for our party to come out victorious. I can only be confident about PAM’s results in light of the upcoming elections.

When you were named Secretary General back in February 2020, you declared that you were ready to ally with the PJD, but for some reason, you retracted your decision in the last few days. What changed?

The few changes vis-à-vis our relations with the PJD were neither total, nor radical, but rather partial. PAM never tended to come into conflict with one party or another. On the contrary, our party seeks convergence with other parties for the good of our country. I have never been in favor of PAM’s “red line” notion vis-à-vis certain political parties, for it has no political or ideological foundation. The role of political parties is to contribute to our country’s development and consolidate the latter’s democratic choices, rather than engage in pointless polemics and clashes.

Politics is the art of making the impossible happen, and PAM is committed to act accordingly. As far we are concerned, we are not opposed to making alliances with the parties with whom we share a common vision, for no party is to be excluded in the process.

So, can we say that you are willing to ally with the PJD?

Like I told you, all parties are to be considered potential allies without exception, as long as they share with us a common program.

What about the RNI, with whom you have been going at it since the beginning of Ramadan?

I hereby state having no issues whatsoever with the RNI, for the latter is a friendly party that adopts a central-right approach similar to ours. However, I have an ongoing problem with the way the RNI’s Secretary General approaches politics, for he allows himself to dictate laws and double-cross all those opposed to him, just because he enjoys significant financial means. As PAM’s SG, I was under the obligation of reacting fast, for I sensed his eagerness to get our political party eliminated. What is really sad is that the man in question has failed to realize that the ongoing feud between PAM and RNI will weaken both parties, therefore, other parties are likely to take advantage of the situation.

On Tuesday May 4, 2021, Brahim Ghali’s hospitalization news made the headlines. How did you react to this matter as this news has put the Moroccan-Spanish relations into jeopardy?

This news accepts two analytical approaches. First of all, we are keen to view Spain’s attitude as incompatible with the ideals on which the relations between both countries have been based for decades. There are several bilateral conventions that must be respected, more specifically the one on the extradition of criminals. Besides, I believe that Spain’s passport-check procedures are to be blamed accordingly, for how is it possible for Brahim Ghali to enter Spanish territory with a fake identity unless our Iberian neighbor is aware, not to say accomplice?

Now, the Spanish courts have taken up the case and Brahim Ghali has finally been summoned to appear before their chambers; Thus, leaving us with only one question: what would be the outcome of the court’s legal proceedings? Spain’s judicial system is proven to be independent, therefore, I can only respect its decisions over the complaint lodged by Fadel Breika against Mr. Ghali. Between this and that, another crime has been attested by the Spanish authorities, that is Mr. Ghali entrance to Spain using a forged passport; And I believe this crime alone requires prosecution with incarceration on the spot. The problem is quite serious for Spain.

That being said, let us not forget that we are required to keep good relations with Spain, for it stands as our main economic partner.

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