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Morocco signs agreement for Amazigh language use in courts

Morocco signs agreement for Amazigh language use in courts
Despite Morocco's recognition of Tamazight as an official language in Morocco's 2011 constitution, it remains absent from official paperwork, schools, and media.
2 min read
27 January, 2022
Moroccan PM Aziz Akhannouch (left) vowed to boost Tamazight's profile during his campaign for election last year [Getty]

's justice ministry on TuesdayÌý with an academic institute to begin theÌýintegration of theÌýAmazigh language of Tamazight in Moroccan courts.

The justice ministry and theÌýRoyal Institute of Amazigh CultureÌýsigned the agreementÌýin the presence of Moroccan Prime Minister . The agreement vows toÌýensure interpretation to and from Tamazight in courtrooms and the adoption of Tamazight as a language for litigation.

"Activating... Tamazight in public life falls within the framework of government priorities for action, in our belief that the Amazigh language and culture should be given the place they deserve in building national identity,"ÌýAkhannouch said during the event.

The new agreementÌýcame as part of a project fromÌýAkhannouch's cabinet to boost the presence of theÌýAmazigh language in public institutions. The project hasÌýa budget of MAD 200 million ($21.4 million)Ìýfor this year.

Tamazight was recognised as an official language inÌýthe 2011 constitution, but its use is limited to signs on public buildings,Ìýwhile administrative paperwork, media, and schoolÌýprogrammes are stillÌýmostly in French and Arabic.

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The Amazigh people - who make up Ìýof Morocco's population, according to official statistics -ÌýÌýhoped thatÌýAkhannouch's leadership would end their marginalisation. But Amazigh activists sayÌýAkhannouch has fallen short on issues affecting the community, and accuse him of using the Amazigh cause for an election victory last year.

Born in an Amazigh village near Agadir, Akhannouch built his political identity and his party’s electoral programme on tackling issues impacting the minorityÌýcommunity.

However, heÌýdid not declare theÌýAmazigh new year as a paid public holiday and has failed to amend the real-time Amazigh translation in parliament.

The governmentÌýneeds to show more clarity and urgency regarding its Tamazight-related projects,ÌýAmazigh activist Abdellah Badou told °®Âþµº.

"We don't expect much from the current government, as it was satisfied with allocating a meager fund to activate the official character of the Tamazight language without bothering to explain the modalities and areas of exchange or the outlines of its government programme,"ÌýBadou said.

Badou said it was important toÌýengageÌýAmazigh activists in future programmes to integrate the language intoÌýschools and media systems.

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