فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
On Wednesday, the National Federation of Café and Restaurant Owners in Morocco sent an official letter to Minister of Interior Abdelouafi Laftit, expressing deep concern about what it described as “serious disarray” in the way local authorities are managing the sector, particularly in cities like Fez.
The federation warned of unofficial verbal instructions being issued by some local authority officials regarding the use of public spaces, instructions that—according to the letter—lack any legal or regulatory basis, and are instead based on vague directives from “higher up,” reflecting the absence of a clear vision or participatory approach.
The letter highlighted painful incidents, most notably in Fez, where sudden decisions by local authorities led to the removal of café awnings and their replacement with ropes tied to building façades. This resulted in some awnings collapsing and causing injuries of varying severity to several patrons. The federation described the situation as a real disaster threatening the safety of both citizens and professionals.
In response, the federation called for clear instructions to be issued to governors and municipal leaders to establish participatory dialogue mechanisms, including joint committees bringing together representatives from local authorities, municipalities, and the federation itself. The goal would be to develop realistic and fair regulatory decisions, pending the implementation of a comprehensive legal framework for the sector.
The federation also denounced other “arbitrary decisions,” such as the forced unification of storefronts, colors, or shop designs without consideration of regional specificities or consultation with professionals. According to the federation, such measures exacerbate the difficulties of a sector already facing structural vulnerability.
Source: Fes News Media
