The Sidi Bouzkrine neighborhood in Meknes, Morocco, is one of the largest residential areas in the city, with approximately 35,000 housing units and a population of around 100,000 people. The neighborhood is divided into several districts, including Al-Inarah, Douar Musa, Hay Al-Wahda, and Hay Al-Atlas. Residents are demanding solutions to their property and basic services issues.
The conflict over land in Sidi Bouzkrine dates back to 1976, between the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and the descendants of the Wali Sidi Bouzkrine. Residents are seeking to regularize their housing situation and obtain individual property titles. A parliamentary group submitted a written question to the Minister of Awqaf on October 27, 2026, regarding the delay in issuing individual property titles as part of a settlement project.
The settlement project involves the transfer of Sidi Bouzkrine land to the Urban Planning Group for over 43 million dirhams, at a price of 100 dirhams per square meter. However, residents and local activists are complaining about the deterioration of infrastructure, the spread of potholes, and the lack of public spaces. They are also raising concerns about the local dispensary, which was closed for renovation, and the original cemetery, which they claim was subjected to exhumation and desecration between 2011 and 2012.
The Sunday market is the main economic outlet for the neighborhood, attracting residents from various parts of Meknes. Local activists have warned that relocating the market to a nearby empty area could negatively impact the economic activity of traders and residents. Residents feel that their neighborhood, despite its population density and electoral importance, does not have sufficient representation in the municipal council's programs.
Residents are demanding that the municipal council include projects that address infrastructure, healthcare, and social services in its agenda. They believe that their neighborhood's needs have been neglected, and they are calling for a comprehensive solution that takes into account the interests of all parties involved. The Sidi Bouzkrine file is considered one of the social and property issues that require a comprehensive solution.
The neighborhood's residents are seeking a durable solution to their problems, which have been ongoing for decades. They hope that the authorities will take their demands into consideration and work towards finding a solution that addresses their concerns. The issue has been raised at various levels, including the parliamentary group, and residents are waiting for a response.
The Sidi Bouzkrine neighborhood is a significant area in Meknes, and its residents are eager to see their demands addressed. The neighborhood's challenges are a reflection of the broader issues facing many urban areas in Morocco, including housing, infrastructure, and services. A solution to the Sidi Bouzkrine issue could have a positive impact on the lives of its residents and set a precedent for addressing similar challenges in other neighborhoods.
Key points
- Residents of Sidi Bouzkrine are demanding solutions to property and basic services issues.
- The neighborhood faces challenges related to infrastructure, healthcare, and social services.
- A comprehensive solution is needed to address the neighborhood's problems.
