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{{Short description|Moroccan politician and businessman, Prime minister of Morocco}}
{{short description|Prime minister of Morocco (2021–present)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Aziz Akhannouch
| name = Aziz Akhannouch
| image = Aziz Akhannouch in 2022.jpg
| image = Aziz Akhannouch in 2024 (cropped).jpg
| imagesize = 210px
| imagesize =
| smallimage = <!--If this is specified, "image" should not be.-->
| smallimage = <!--If this is specified, "image" should not be.-->
| caption = Akhannouch in 2022
| caption = Akhannouch in 2024
| office = 17th [[Prime Minister of Morocco]]
| office = 17th [[Prime Minister of Morocco]]
| monarch = [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|Mohammed VI]]
| monarch = [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|Mohammed VI]]
Line 34: Line 34:
| party = [[National Rally of Independents]] (2007–2012, 2016–present)
| party = [[National Rally of Independents]] (2007–2012, 2016–present)
| otherparty = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (2012–2016)
| otherparty = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (2012–2016)
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|12|31|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|08|16|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Tafraout]], [[Morocco]]
| birth_place = [[Tafraout]], Morocco
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| spouse = [[Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch]]
| spouse = [[Salwa Idrissi]]
| alma_mater = [[Université de Sherbrooke]]
| alma_mater = [[Université de Sherbrooke]]
| occupation = Businessman, Politician
| occupation = Businessman, Politician
| website = {{URL|https://www.akwagroup.com/}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.akwagroup.com/}}
| native_name = {{Lang|ar|عزيز أخنوش}}<br/>{{Lang|zgh|ⵄⴰⵣⵉⵣ ⴰⵅⵏⵏⵓⵛ}}
| native_name = {{nobold|عزيز أخنوش}}<br/>{{nobold|ⵄⴰⵣⵉⵣ ⴰⵅⵏⵏⵓⵛ}}
| children = 3
| children = 3
| native_name_lang = ar
}}
}}
'''Aziz Akhannouch''' ({{Lang-zgh|ⵄⴰⵣⵉⵣ ⴰⵅⵏⵏⵓⵛ|translit=Ɛaziz Axnnuc}}; born 31 December 1961)<ref name=telquel>{{cite news|title=Parcours : Les success stories du souss|url=http://www.telquel-online.com/106/couverture_106_2.shtml|access-date=30 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419172748/http://www.telquel-online.com/106/couverture_106_2.shtml|archive-date=19 April 2010}}</ref> is a Moroccan politician, businessman, and billionaire who is currently the [[Prime Minister of Morocco]] since his government took office on 7 October 2021.<ref name="Medias24PMnews"/> He is the CEO of [[Akwa Group]] and also served as Minister of Agriculture from 2007 to 2021.
'''Aziz Akhannouch''' ({{Lang-ar|عزيز أخنوش}}, {{Lang-zgh|ⵄⴰⵣⵉⵣ ⴰⵅⵏⵏⵓⵛ|translit=Ɛaziz Axnnuc|label=[[Tamazight]]}}; born 16 August 1961)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aziz Akhannouch |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/personnalites/aziz-akhannouch/ |website=Jeune Afrique}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-18 |title=ⵜⴰⵔⵉⴷⵉⵔⵜ ⵜⴰⵏⴽⴽⵉⵏⵜ |url=https://www.cg.gov.ma/amz/node/238 |access-date=2024-04-26 |website=www.cg.gov.ma}}</ref> is a Moroccan politician, businessman, and billionaire who is currently the [[Prime Minister of Morocco]] since his government took office on 7 October 2021.<ref name="Medias24PMnews"/> He is the CEO of [[Akwa Group]] and also served as Minister of Agriculture from 2007 to 2021.


Akhannouch's political career has been generally characterized by several controversies, including accusations of corruption and negative relations with the press.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Petroleum group of Morocco Denounces Chabat's Rumors about Akhannouch |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2017/02/208130/petroleum-group-of-morocco-denounces-chabats-rumors-about-akhannouch |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=Morocco World News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> His government has been additionally marked by inflation, as well as continued suppression of dissenting opinions.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=د |first=ق |title=المساء - حكومة أخنوش تدعم الفساد وتهدد استقرار البلاد |url=https://www.el-massa.com/dz/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D8%AE%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B4-%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AF |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=المساء |language=ar}}</ref> It has been suggested that Akhannouch may have been elected by [[Electoral fraud|election fraud]] and [[vote buying]], as the previous party, the [[Justice and Development Party (Morocco)|PJD]] saw its support collapse from 125 to just 12 seats.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Moderate parties win big in Moroccan elections – DW – 09/09/2021 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/morocco-moderate-parties-rout-ruling-islamists-in-elections/a-59128306 |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":2" />
Akhannouch's political career has been generally characterized by several controversies, including accusations of corruption and negative relations with the press.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Petroleum group of Morocco Denounces Chabat's Rumors about Akhannouch |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2017/02/208130/petroleum-group-of-morocco-denounces-chabats-rumors-about-akhannouch |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=Morocco World News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> His government has been additionally marked by inflation, as well as continued suppression of dissenting opinions.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=د |first=ق |title=المساء - حكومة أخنوش تدعم الفساد وتهدد استقرار البلاد |url=https://www.el-massa.com/dz/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D8%AE%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B4-%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AF |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=المساء |language=ar}}</ref> It has been suggested that Akhannouch may have been elected by [[Electoral fraud|election fraud]] and [[vote buying]], as the previous party, the [[Justice and Development Party (Morocco)|PJD]] saw its support collapse from 125 to just 12 seats.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Moderate parties win big in Moroccan elections – DW – 09/09/2021 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/morocco-moderate-parties-rout-ruling-islamists-in-elections/a-59128306 |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":2" />


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Akhannouch was born in 1961 in Tafraout and raised in Casablanca.<ref>{{cite web|title=Biographie du Chef du Gouvernement|url=https://www.cg.gov.ma/fr/biographie-du-chef-du-gouvernement|website=www.cg.gov.ma|access-date=24 December 2022|publication-date=}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bihmidine|first=Omar|title=Profile of Aziz Akhannouch, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Fisheries|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2013/10/108581/profile-of-aziz-akhannouch-minister-of-agriculture-and-marine-fisheries|access-date=14 September 2021|date=12 October 2013|website=Morocco World News|language=en}}</ref> His mother and sister were survivors of the [[1960 Agadir earthquake]] that killed ten of his family members; they were reported to have been left buried beneath rubble for several hours before being rescued.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aziz Akhannouch, the billionaire ally of Morocco's Mohammed VI|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/morocco-aziz-akhannouch-billionaire-service-his-majesty-mohammed-vi|access-date=21 September 2021|website=Middle East Eye|language=en}}</ref>
Akhannouch was born in 1961 in Tafraout and raised in Casablanca.<ref>{{cite web|title=Biographie du Chef du Gouvernement|url=https://www.cg.gov.ma/fr/biographie-du-chef-du-gouvernement|website=www.cg.gov.ma|access-date=24 December 2022|publication-date=}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bihmidine|first=Omar|title=Profile of Aziz Akhannouch, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Fisheries|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2013/10/108581/profile-of-aziz-akhannouch-minister-of-agriculture-and-marine-fisheries|access-date=14 September 2021|date=12 October 2013|website=Morocco World News|language=en}}</ref> He comes from the [[Amazigh]] tribe of [[Sous|Souss]] of Aït Ammeln. His mother and sister were survivors of the [[1960 Agadir earthquake]] that killed ten of his family members; they were reported to have been left buried beneath rubble for several hours before being rescued.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aziz Akhannouch, the billionaire ally of Morocco's Mohammed VI|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/morocco-aziz-akhannouch-billionaire-service-his-majesty-mohammed-vi|access-date=21 September 2021|website=Middle East Eye|language=en}}</ref>


In 1986, Akhannouch graduated from the [[Université de Sherbrooke]] with a management diploma.<ref name="dictionary">{{cite book|last1=Boum|first1=Aomar|last2=Park|first2=Thomas K.|title=Historical Dictionary of Morocco|date=2016|isbn=9781442262966|pages=34–35|edition=3rd| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=glgzDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA34|access-date=10 November 2016}}</ref>
In 1986, Akhannouch graduated from the [[Université de Sherbrooke]] with a management diploma.<ref name="dictionary">{{cite book|last1=Boum|first1=Aomar|last2=Park|first2=Thomas K.|title=Historical Dictionary of Morocco|date=2016|isbn=9781442262966|pages=34–35|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |edition=3rd| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=glgzDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA34|access-date=10 November 2016}}</ref>


==Business==
==Business==
He is the CEO of [[Akwa Group]], a Moroccan conglomerate particularly active in the oil and gas sector.<ref name=telquel/> Forbes estimated his net worth as $1.4&nbsp;billion in November 2013.<ref name=forbes>{{cite news|title=Aziz Akhannouch & family|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/aziz-akhannouch/|access-date=17 November 2013|newspaper=Forbes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113220157/http://www.forbes.com/profile/aziz-akhannouch/|archive-date=13 November 2013}}</ref> Akhannouch inherited Akwa from his father.<ref name=forbes/> In 2020, he was ranked 12th on ''Forbes''{{'}}s annual list of Africa's wealthiest billionaires, with an estimated net worth of $2&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Africa's Richest Billionaires 2020|url= https://www.forbes.com/africa-billionaires/list/#tab:overall |website=forbes.com|access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref>
He is the CEO of [[Akwa Group]], a Moroccan conglomerate particularly active in the oil and gas sector.<ref name="telquel">{{cite news |title=Parcours : Les success stories du souss |url=http://www.telquel-online.com/106/couverture_106_2.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419172748/http://www.telquel-online.com/106/couverture_106_2.shtml |archive-date=19 April 2010 |access-date=30 September 2011}}</ref> Forbes estimated his net worth as $1.4&nbsp;billion in November 2013.<ref name=forbes>{{cite news|title=Aziz Akhannouch & family|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/aziz-akhannouch/|access-date=17 November 2013|newspaper=Forbes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113220157/http://www.forbes.com/profile/aziz-akhannouch/|archive-date=13 November 2013}}</ref> Akhannouch inherited Akwa from his father.<ref name=forbes/> In 2020, he was ranked 12th on ''Forbes''{{'}}s annual list of Africa's wealthiest billionaires, with an estimated net worth of $2&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Africa's Richest Billionaires 2020|url= https://www.forbes.com/africa-billionaires/list/#tab:overall |website=forbes.com|access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
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From 2003 to 2007, Akhannouch was the president of the [[Souss-Massa-Drâa]] regional council.<ref name="dictionary"/> He was a member of the [[National Rally of Independents]] party, before leaving it on 2 January 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Saad-Alami |first=Youness |date=27 September 2011 |title=Agriculture solidaire: Le coup de pouce d'Akhannouch Entretien avec le ministre de l'Agriculture et de la Pêche maritime |url=http://www.leconomiste.com/article/887294-agriculture-solidaire-le-coup-de-pouce-d-akhannouchbrentretien-avec-le-ministre-de-la |magazine=L'Économiste |access-date=30 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Morocco: Gov't Advocates Comparative Advantages Benefiting Agricultural Countries in International Markets|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201109091096.html|access-date=30 September 2011|work=allafrica.com|date=9 September 2011}}{{subscription required}}</ref>
From 2003 to 2007, Akhannouch was the president of the [[Souss-Massa-Drâa]] regional council.<ref name="dictionary"/> He was a member of the [[National Rally of Independents]] party, before leaving it on 2 January 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Saad-Alami |first=Youness |date=27 September 2011 |title=Agriculture solidaire: Le coup de pouce d'Akhannouch Entretien avec le ministre de l'Agriculture et de la Pêche maritime |url=http://www.leconomiste.com/article/887294-agriculture-solidaire-le-coup-de-pouce-d-akhannouchbrentretien-avec-le-ministre-de-la |magazine=L'Économiste |access-date=30 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Morocco: Gov't Advocates Comparative Advantages Benefiting Agricultural Countries in International Markets|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201109091096.html|access-date=30 September 2011|work=allafrica.com|date=9 September 2011}}{{subscription required}}</ref>


He served as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries between 2007 and 2021, During this period, he successfully implemented the Green Morocco Plan, an ambitious agricultural development strategy that was introduced by King Mohammed VI in April 2008 and has received international recognition and admiration as a true model and example.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-25 |title=Biography |url=https://www.cg.gov.ma/en/biography |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.cg.gov.ma |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
On 23 August 2013 he was appointed by King [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|Mohammed VI]] as Minister of Finance on an interim basis after [[Istiqlal Party|Istiqlal]] ministers resigned from Benkirane's cabinet, a position he kept until 9 October 2013.<ref name="dictionary" />


⚫
On 23 August 2013, he was appointed by King [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|Mohammed VI]] as Minister of Finance on an interim basis after [[Istiqlal Party|Istiqlal]] ministers resigned from Benkirane's cabinet, a position he kept until 9 October 2013.<ref name="dictionary" />
⚫
On 27 July 2016, Akhannouch met with Jonathan Pershing, Special Envoy for Climate Change for the United States. They spoke about preparations for the 2016 United Nations [[United Nations Climate Change conference|Conference of the Parties]].<ref>{{cite web|title=US Climate Change Special Envoy in Morocco for COP 22 Discussions|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-climate-change-special-envoy-211556505.html |access-date=10 November 2016}}</ref>

⚫
On 27 July 2016, Akhannouch met with Jonathan Pershing, Special Envoy for Climate Change for the United States. They spoke about preparations for the 2016 United Nations [[United Nations Climate Change conference|Conference of the Parties]].<ref>{{cite web|title=US Climate Change Special Envoy in Morocco for COP 22 Discussions|date=28 July 2016 |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-climate-change-special-envoy-211556505.html |access-date=10 November 2016}}</ref>


On 29 October 2016, Akhannouch rejoined the RNI after being elected as president of the party. He took over [[Salaheddine Mezouar]]'s position, who had resigned following the [[2016 Moroccan general election|2016 general election]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aziz Akhannouch Elected President of RNI |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2016/10/200108/aziz-akhannouch-elected-president-rni/ |access-date=10 November 2016 |website=moroccoworldnews.com}}</ref>
On 29 October 2016, Akhannouch rejoined the RNI after being elected as president of the party. He took over [[Salaheddine Mezouar]]'s position, who had resigned following the [[2016 Moroccan general election|2016 general election]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aziz Akhannouch Elected President of RNI |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2016/10/200108/aziz-akhannouch-elected-president-rni/ |access-date=10 November 2016 |website=moroccoworldnews.com}}</ref>
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{{See also|List of international prime ministerial trips made by Aziz Akhannouch}}
{{See also|List of international prime ministerial trips made by Aziz Akhannouch}}
[[File:Secretary Blinken Meets with Moroccan Prime Minister Akhannouch (51970108228).jpg|thumb|Akhannouch with US Secretary of State [[Antony Blinken]] in Rabat, Morocco, on 29 March 2022]]
[[File:Secretary Blinken Meets with Moroccan Prime Minister Akhannouch (51970108228).jpg|thumb|Akhannouch with US Secretary of State [[Antony Blinken]] in Rabat, Morocco, on 29 March 2022]]
In the [[2021 Moroccan general election|2021 general election]], his party placed first, winning 222 seats of the 435 seats, while the governing [[Justice and Development Party (Morocco)|Justice and Development Party]] lost 113 of its previous seats. On 10 September 2021, he was appointed as Prime Minister by King Mohammed VI, succeeding [[Saadeddine Othmani]], and was tasked by the King to form a new government.<ref name="Medias24PMnews">{{Cite news|date=10 September 2021|title=Le Roi Mohammed VI nomme Aziz Akhannouch chef du gouvernement|language=fr-FR|website=Medias24|url=https://medias24.com/2021/09/10/le-roi-mohammed-vi-nomme-aziz-akhannouch-chef-du-gouvernement/|access-date=10 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Mohammed VI nomme Aziz Akhannouch Chef de gouvernement|language=fr|website=[[Telquel]]|url=https://telquel.ma/2021/09/10/mohammed-vi-nomme-aziz-akhannouch-chef-de-gouvernement_1736449?fbrefresh=8|access-date=10 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-10 |title=Morocco's king names businessman Aziz Akhannouch to lead new government |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210910-morocco-s-king-names-businessman-aziz-akhannouch-to-lead-government |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Moroccan king appoints Aziz Akhannouch as gov’t head |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/10/moroccan-king-appoints-rnis-akhannouch-as-government-head |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Aziz Akhannouch named as Morocco's new PM – DW – 09/11/2021 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/moroccos-king-names-aziz-akhannouch-as-new-pm/a-59149295 |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref>
In the [[2021 Moroccan general election|2021 general election]], his party placed first, winning 222 seats of the 435 seats, while the governing [[Justice and Development Party (Morocco)|Justice and Development Party]] lost 113 of its previous seats. On 10 September 2021, he was appointed as Prime Minister by King Mohammed VI, succeeding [[Saadeddine Othmani]], and was tasked by the King to form a new government.<ref name="Medias24PMnews">{{Cite news|date=10 September 2021|title=Le Roi Mohammed VI nomme Aziz Akhannouch chef du gouvernement|language=fr-FR|website=Medias24|url=https://medias24.com/2021/09/10/le-roi-mohammed-vi-nomme-aziz-akhannouch-chef-du-gouvernement/|access-date=10 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Mohammed VI nomme Aziz Akhannouch Chef de gouvernement|language=fr|website=[[Telquel]]|url=https://telquel.ma/2021/09/10/mohammed-vi-nomme-aziz-akhannouch-chef-de-gouvernement_1736449?fbrefresh=8|access-date=10 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-10 |title=Morocco's king names businessman Aziz Akhannouch to lead new government |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210910-morocco-s-king-names-businessman-aziz-akhannouch-to-lead-government |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Moroccan king appoints Aziz Akhannouch as gov't head |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/10/moroccan-king-appoints-rnis-akhannouch-as-government-head |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Aziz Akhannouch named as Morocco's new PM – DW – 09/11/2021 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/moroccos-king-names-aziz-akhannouch-as-new-pm/a-59149295 |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref>


Akhannouch announced the formation of an official coalition government alongside the [[Authenticity and Modernity Party|PAM]] and [[Istiqlal Party|Istiqlal]] parties on 22 September 2021,<ref>{{cite web|work=Al Jazeera|date=22 September 2021|title=Morocco's premier Akhannouch announces coalition agreement|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/22/moroccos-premier-akhannouch-announces-coalition-agreement|url-status=live|accessdate=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922124731/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/22/moroccos-premier-akhannouch-announces-coalition-agreement |archive-date=22 September 2021 }}</ref> thus officializing his status as Prime Minister of Morocco. On 7 October 2021, Akhannouch assumed office as the new Prime Minister.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Morocco names new government, keeps foreign, interior ministers|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/7/morocco-names-new-government-keeps-foreign-and-interior-minister|access-date=8 October 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=8 October 2021|title=Morocco names new government, keeps foreign and interior ministers|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/morocco-names-new-government-keeps-foreign-interior-ministers-2021-10-07/|access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref>
Akhannouch announced the formation of an official coalition government alongside the [[Authenticity and Modernity Party|PAM]] and [[Istiqlal Party|Istiqlal]] parties on 22 September 2021,<ref>{{cite web|work=Al Jazeera|date=22 September 2021|title=Morocco's premier Akhannouch announces coalition agreement|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/22/moroccos-premier-akhannouch-announces-coalition-agreement|url-status=live|accessdate=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922124731/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/22/moroccos-premier-akhannouch-announces-coalition-agreement |archive-date=22 September 2021 }}</ref> thus officiating his status as Prime Minister-designate of Morocco. On 7 October 2021, he assumed office as the new Prime Minister.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Morocco names new government, keeps foreign, interior ministers|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/7/morocco-names-new-government-keeps-foreign-and-interior-minister|access-date=8 October 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=8 October 2021|title=Morocco names new government, keeps foreign and interior ministers|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/morocco-names-new-government-keeps-foreign-interior-ministers-2021-10-07/|access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> Since taking office, Akhannouch has represented King Mohammed VI at several foreign engagements and read speeches delivered by him during summits, including at the [[2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-02 |title=HM the King Sends Speech to 26th UN Climate Change Conference (Full Text) |url=https://www.maroc.ma/en/royal-speeches/hm-king-sends-speech-26th-un-climate-change-conference-full-text |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=Maroc.ma |language=en}}</ref>


In late October, Akhannouch was criticized by Moroccan citizens for wearing a pin of the [[MENA]] region that excluded [[Western Sahara]] while attending a Green Initiative event in [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2021/10/345223/aziz-akhannouch-faces-backlash-for-tolerating-display-of-severed-moroccan-map|title = Aziz Akhannouch Faces Backlash for Tolerating Display of Incomplete Moroccan Map}}</ref>
In late October 2021, Akhannouch was criticized by Moroccan citizens for wearing a pin of the [[MENA]] region that excluded [[Western Sahara]] while attending a Green Initiative event in [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2021/10/345223/aziz-akhannouch-faces-backlash-for-tolerating-display-of-severed-moroccan-map|title = Aziz Akhannouch Faces Backlash for Tolerating Display of Incomplete Moroccan Map}}</ref>


In September 2022, Akhannouch attended the [[Seventy-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly|77th session of the United Nations General Assembly]] in [[New York City|New York]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-19 |title=On High Instructions from HM the King, Gov't Chief Chairs Morocco's Delegation to 77th UN General Assembly |url=https://www.mapnews.ma/en/actualites/politics/high-instructions-hm-king-govt-chief-chairs-moroccos-delegation-77th-un-general |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Maghreb Arabe Presse}}</ref>
In September 2022, Akhannouch attended the [[Seventy-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly|77th session of the United Nations General Assembly]] in [[New York City|New York]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-19 |title=On High Instructions from HM the King, Gov't Chief Chairs Morocco's Delegation to 77th UN General Assembly |url=https://www.mapnews.ma/en/actualites/politics/high-instructions-hm-king-govt-chief-chairs-moroccos-delegation-77th-un-general |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Maghreb Arabe Presse}}</ref>
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On 1 February 2023, Akhannouch participated with Spanish prime minister [[Pedro Sánchez]] in the 12th edition of the Morocco-Spain High Level Meeting in Rabat,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kasraoui |first=Safaa |title=High-Level Meeting: Spain, Morocco Celebrate Strategic Depth of Bilateral Ties |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/02/353837/high-level-meeting-spain-morocco-celebrate-strategic-depth-of-bilateral-ties |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=moroccoworldnews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-01 |title=12th Morocco-Spain HLM: President of Spanish government arrives in Morocco |url=https://en.hespress.com/57932-12th-morocco-spain-hlm-president-of-spanish-government-arrives-in-morocco.html |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=HESPRESS English - Morocco News |language=en-US}}</ref> in which both countries signed a total of 19 bilateral agreements concerning a plethora of sectors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kasraoui |first=Safaa |title=Spain, Morocco Sign 19 Agreements to Deepen Economic, Bilateral Cooperation |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/02/353840/spain-morocco-sign-19-agreements-to-deepen-economic-bilateral-cooperation |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=moroccoworldnews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-02 |title=Rabat and Madrid sign 19 memorandums of understanding, as bilateral summit closes |url=https://en.hespress.com/58019-rabat-and-madrid-sign-19-memorandums-of-understanding-as-bilateral-summit-closes.html |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=HESPRESS English - Morocco News |language=en-US}}</ref>
On 1 February 2023, Akhannouch participated with Spanish prime minister [[Pedro Sánchez]] in the 12th edition of the Morocco-Spain High Level Meeting in Rabat,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kasraoui |first=Safaa |title=High-Level Meeting: Spain, Morocco Celebrate Strategic Depth of Bilateral Ties |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/02/353837/high-level-meeting-spain-morocco-celebrate-strategic-depth-of-bilateral-ties |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=moroccoworldnews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-01 |title=12th Morocco-Spain HLM: President of Spanish government arrives in Morocco |url=https://en.hespress.com/57932-12th-morocco-spain-hlm-president-of-spanish-government-arrives-in-morocco.html |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=HESPRESS English - Morocco News |language=en-US}}</ref> in which both countries signed a total of 19 bilateral agreements concerning a plethora of sectors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kasraoui |first=Safaa |title=Spain, Morocco Sign 19 Agreements to Deepen Economic, Bilateral Cooperation |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/02/353840/spain-morocco-sign-19-agreements-to-deepen-economic-bilateral-cooperation |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=moroccoworldnews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-02 |title=Rabat and Madrid sign 19 memorandums of understanding, as bilateral summit closes |url=https://en.hespress.com/58019-rabat-and-madrid-sign-19-memorandums-of-understanding-as-bilateral-summit-closes.html |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=HESPRESS English - Morocco News |language=en-US}}</ref>


In July 2023, Akhannouch attended the [[2023 Russia–Africa Summit]] in [[Saint Petersburg]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-27 |title=Aziz Akhannouch représente S.M. le Roi au 2è Sommet Russie-Afrique |url=https://lematin.ma/express/2023/aziz-akhannouch-represente-sm-roi-2e-sommet-russie-afrique/392638.html |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=[[Le Matin (Morocco)|Le Matin]] |language=fr}}</ref> In 2024, he attended the Italia-Africa summit in [[Rome]] and met with Italian President [[Sergio Mattarella]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-29 |title=Le Chef du gouvernement représente SM le Roi au Sommet "Italie-Afrique : Un pont pour une croissance commune" |url=https://www.maroc.ma/fr/actualites/le-chef-du-gouvernement-represente-sm-le-roi-au-sommet-italie-afrique-un-pont-pour-une |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=Maroc.ma |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-29 |title=Italy-Africa Summit: Gov't Chief Received by Italian President |url=https://www.mapnews.ma/en/actualites/politics/italy-africa-summit-govt-chief-received-italian-president |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=Maghreb Arabe Presse}}</ref>
In July 2023, Akhannouch attended the [[2023 Russia–Africa Summit]] in Saint Petersburg and met with Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-28 |title=Moroccan Delegation Participates in Second Russia-Africa Summit 2023 |url=https://bnn.network/world/russia/moroccan-delegation-participates-in-second-russia-africa-summit-2023/ |publisher=BNN}}</ref>


==Controversies==
==Controversies==
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In 2015 and 2016, after the Moroccan government of [[Abdelilah Benkirane]] decided to liberalize fuel prices, the fuel companies decided to collude with each other and not reduce prices. Among those companies was the [[Akwa Group|Akwa company]], owned by Akhannouch.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-19|title=شبيبة البيجيدي تطلق النار على "أخنوش" وتطالب باستعادة 17 مليار|url=http://howiyapress.com/%d8%b4%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%a8%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%ac%d9%8a%d8%af%d9%8a-%d8%aa%d8%b7%d9%84%d9%82-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%86%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%b9%d9%84%d9%89-%d8%a3%d8%ae%d9%86%d9%88%d8%b4-%d9%88/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=هوية بريس|language=ar}}</ref>
In 2015 and 2016, after the Moroccan government of [[Abdelilah Benkirane]] decided to liberalize fuel prices, the fuel companies decided to collude with each other and not reduce prices. Among those companies was the [[Akwa Group|Akwa company]], owned by Akhannouch.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-19|title=شبيبة البيجيدي تطلق النار على "أخنوش" وتطالب باستعادة 17 مليار|url=http://howiyapress.com/%d8%b4%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%a8%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%ac%d9%8a%d8%af%d9%8a-%d8%aa%d8%b7%d9%84%d9%82-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%86%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%b9%d9%84%d9%89-%d8%a3%d8%ae%d9%86%d9%88%d8%b4-%d9%88/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=هوية بريس|language=ar}}</ref>


The profits of these companies amounted to about 17 billion dirhams (around US$1.75 billion), and several parties described them as immoral and illegal profits on the back of the Moroccan people. There were still several demands to restore them, whether in Parliament or in the media.<ref>{{Cite web|last=akhbarona.com|title="بلافريج" يكشف المستور لـ"أخبارنا" ويفضح بالأدلة تواطؤ حكومة "العثماني" مع شركات المحروقات|url=https://www.akhbarona.com/economy/274948.html|access-date=2022-02-17|website=akhbarona.com|language=ar-MA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-11-17|title=برلمانية تسائل مقترح استرجاع 17 مليار درهم من شركات المحروقات|url=https://www.febrayer.com/599092.html|access-date=2022-02-17|website=فبراير.كوم {{!}} موقع مغربي إخباري شامل يتجدد على مدار الساعة|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title="البيجيدي": شركات المحروقات مطالبة بإرجاع مبلغ 17 مليار درهم ومنحه لصندوق "كورونا"|url=https://lakome2.com/covid19/166360/?fbrefresh=5|access-date=2022-02-17|website=لكم-lakome2|language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-13|title=مقترح لاسترجاع 17 مليارا من الأرباح غير المشروعة للمحروقات|url=http://howiyapress.com/%d9%85%d9%82%d8%aa%d8%b1%d8%ad-%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%b1%d8%ac%d8%a7%d8%b9-17-%d9%85%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%a7-%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d8%b1%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%ad-%d8%ba%d9%8a%d8%b1/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=هوية بريس|language=ar}}</ref>
The profits of these companies amounted to about 17 billion dirhams (around US$1.75 billion), and several parties described them as immoral and illegal profits on the back of the Moroccan people. There were still several demands to restore them, whether in Parliament or in the media.<ref>{{Cite web|last=akhbarona.com|title="بلافريج" يكشف المستور لـ"أخبارنا" ويفضح بالأدلة تواطؤ حكومة "العثماني" مع شركات المحروقات|url=https://www.akhbarona.com/economy/274948.html|access-date=2022-02-17|website=akhbarona.com|date=30 June 2019 |language=ar-MA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-11-17|title=برلمانية تسائل مقترح استرجاع 17 مليار درهم من شركات المحروقات|url=https://www.febrayer.com/599092.html|access-date=2022-02-17|website=فبراير.كوم {{!}} موقع مغربي إخباري شامل يتجدد على مدار الساعة|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title="البيجيدي": شركات المحروقات مطالبة بإرجاع مبلغ 17 مليار درهم ومنحه لصندوق "كورونا"|url=https://lakome2.com/covid19/166360/?fbrefresh=5|access-date=2022-02-17|website=لكم-lakome2|language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-13|title=مقترح لاسترجاع 17 مليارا من الأرباح غير المشروعة للمحروقات|url=http://howiyapress.com/%d9%85%d9%82%d8%aa%d8%b1%d8%ad-%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%b1%d8%ac%d8%a7%d8%b9-17-%d9%85%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%a7-%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d8%b1%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%ad-%d8%ba%d9%8a%d8%b1/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=هوية بريس|language=ar}}</ref>


During the period following the case, the president of the Competition Council, {{Ill|Driss Guerraoui|fr}}, prepared a report on Akhannouch's illegal profits, and submitted it to [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|King Mohammed VI]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=هكذا أحرقت المحروقات الكراوي وأبعدته عن مجلس المنافسة – الجريدة 24|url=https://aljarida24.ma/p/actualites/136703/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=aljarida24.ma}}</ref> In March 2021, Guerraoui was relieved of his position and replaced by Ahmed Rahhou.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-24|title=خلافات حول تقرير المحروقات تُبعد إدريس الكراوي من "مجلس المنافسة" المغربي|url=https://www.alquds.co.uk/%d8%ae%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%81%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%ad%d9%88%d9%84-%d8%aa%d9%82%d8%b1%d9%8a%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%ad%d8%b1%d9%88%d9%82%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%aa%d9%8f%d8%a8%d8%b9%d8%af-%d8%a5%d8%af%d8%b1%d9%8a/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=القدس العربي|language=ar}}</ref>
During the period following the case, the president of the Competition Council, {{Ill|Driss Guerraoui|fr}}, prepared a report on Akhannouch's illegal profits, and submitted it to [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|King Mohammed VI]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=هكذا أحرقت المحروقات الكراوي وأبعدته عن مجلس المنافسة – الجريدة 24|url=https://aljarida24.ma/p/actualites/136703/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=aljarida24.ma}}</ref> In March 2021, Guerraoui was relieved of his position and replaced by Ahmed Rahhou.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-24|title=خلافات حول تقرير المحروقات تُبعد إدريس الكراوي من "مجلس المنافسة" المغربي|url=https://www.alquds.co.uk/%d8%ae%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%81%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%ad%d9%88%d9%84-%d8%aa%d9%82%d8%b1%d9%8a%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%ad%d8%b1%d9%88%d9%82%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%aa%d9%8f%d8%a8%d8%b9%d8%af-%d8%a5%d8%af%d8%b1%d9%8a/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=القدس العربي|language=ar}}</ref>
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===2018 boycott===
===2018 boycott===
{{Main|2018 Boycott in Morocco}}
{{Main|2018 Boycott in Morocco}}
In the spring of 2018, Morocco was shaken by a boycott movement launched against Centrale Danone, Sidi Ali (mineral water) and Akwa's subsidiary Afriquia. The three brands, which are major distributors of three basic products – milk, water and fuel – were accused by the population of charging very high prices. The movement became extremely popular, leading to reactions from the government.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|last=Saleh|first=Heba|date=2018-06-07|title=Morocco's biggest businesses hit by online boycott campaign|work=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/1ed8370a-6979-11e8-b6eb-4acfcfb08c11|access-date=2022-02-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Maroc : le boycott aura coûté 178 millions d'euros à Danone – Jeune Afrique|url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/737259/economie/danone-des-resultats-annuels-en-berne-au-maroc-en-raison-du-boycott-de-2018/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=JeuneAfrique.com|language=fr-FR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ollivier|first=Théa|title=Au Maroc, un boycott surprise contre la vie chère|url=https://www.liberation.fr/planete/2018/06/05/au-maroc-un-boycott-surprise-contre-la-vie-chere_1656798/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Libération|language=fr}}</ref>
In the spring of 2018, Morocco was shaken by a boycott movement launched against Centrale Danone, Sidi Ali (mineral water) and Akwa's subsidiary Afriquia. The three brands, which are major distributors of three basic products – milk, water and fuel – were accused by the population of charging very high prices. The movement became extremely popular, leading to reactions from the government.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|last=Saleh|first=Heba|date=2018-06-07|title=Morocco's biggest businesses hit by online boycott campaign|work=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/1ed8370a-6979-11e8-b6eb-4acfcfb08c11|access-date=2022-02-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Maroc : le boycott aura coûté 178 millions d'euros à Danone – Jeune Afrique|url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/737259/economie/danone-des-resultats-annuels-en-berne-au-maroc-en-raison-du-boycott-de-2018/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=JeuneAfrique.com|date=19 February 2019 |language=fr-FR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ollivier|first=Théa|title=Au Maroc, un boycott surprise contre la vie chère|url=https://www.liberation.fr/planete/2018/06/05/au-maroc-un-boycott-surprise-contre-la-vie-chere_1656798/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Libération|language=fr}}</ref>


According to the French think tank School of Thought on Economic Warfare (EPGE), which investigated the boycott movement, it was a campaign of "hierarchized" disinformation "therefore orchestrated by a precise political agenda", which would have benefited from a substantial budget, with for example between 100,000 and 500,000 euros for the purchase of online space to disseminate the ideas of the movement, as well as expensive donation campaigns to the poor to mobilize public opinion. According to the same study, the movement of [[Al Adl Wa Al Ihssane]] would be behind this boycott campaign with the aim of removing Akhanouch from the political scene.<ref>{{Cite web|last=HARBULOT|first=Christian|date=2019-09-25|title=Boycott au Maroc en 2018 Analyse d'une campagne de déstabilisation informationnelle|url=https://www.epge.fr/boycott-au-maroc-en-2018-analyse-dune-campagne-de-destabilisation-informationnelle/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=EPGE - Ecole de Pensée sur la Guerre Economique|language=fr-FR}}</ref>
According to the French think tank School of Thought on Economic Warfare (EPGE), which investigated the boycott movement, it was a campaign of "hierarchized" disinformation "therefore orchestrated by a precise political agenda", which would have benefited from a substantial budget, with for example between 100,000 and 500,000 euros for the purchase of online space to disseminate the ideas of the movement, as well as expensive donation campaigns to the poor to mobilize public opinion. According to the same study, the movement of [[Al Adl Wa Al Ihssane]] would be behind this boycott campaign with the aim of removing Akhanouch from the political scene.<ref>{{Cite web|last=HARBULOT|first=Christian|date=2019-09-25|title=Boycott au Maroc en 2018 Analyse d'une campagne de déstabilisation informationnelle|url=https://www.epge.fr/boycott-au-maroc-en-2018-analyse-dune-campagne-de-destabilisation-informationnelle/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=EPGE - Ecole de Pensée sur la Guerre Economique|language=fr-FR}}</ref>


Akhannouch himself said he "ignored" the boycott campaign while speaking to ''[[Jeune Afrique]]'', accusing opponents of "exploiting Moroccans' hardship for political goals".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=El Atti |first=Basma |date=2022-07-18 |title=Massive digital campaign spurt up against Morocco's rich PM |url=https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/massive-digital-campaign-spurt-against-moroccos-rich-pm |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=The New Arab}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Akhannouch: "Le boycott a touché l’économie marocaine dans son ensemble" |url=https://www.h24info.ma/maroc/akhannouch-boycott-a-touche-leconomie-marocaine-dans-son-ensemble/ |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=H24info.ma |language=fr}}</ref>
Akhannouch himself said he "ignored" the boycott campaign while speaking to ''[[Jeune Afrique]]'', accusing opponents of "exploiting Moroccans' hardship for political goals".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=El Atti |first=Basma |date=2022-07-18 |title=Massive digital campaign spurt up against Morocco's rich PM |url=https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/massive-digital-campaign-spurt-against-moroccos-rich-pm |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=The New Arab}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Akhannouch: "Le boycott a touché l'économie marocaine dans son ensemble" |url=https://www.h24info.ma/maroc/akhannouch-boycott-a-touche-leconomie-marocaine-dans-son-ensemble/ |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=H24info.ma |language=fr}}</ref>


On 17 November 2018, Driss Guerraoui was appointed by King Mohammed VI as president of the Competition Council.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maroc : les dossiers qui attendent Driss Guerraoui, nouveau président du Conseil de la concurrence|url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/669866/economie/maroc-les-dossiers-qui-attendent-driss-guerraoui-nouveau-president-du-maroc-les-dossiers-qui-attendent-driss-guerraoui-nouveau-president-du-conseil-de-la-concurrence/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Jeune Afrique|language=fr}}</ref> In 2020, the Council recognized that the three brands targeted by the 2018 boycott campaign had reached an agreement on prices.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-17|title=Aziz Akhannouch, milliardaire et premier ministre du Maroc|url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/milliardaire-et-premier-ministre-du-maroc-20210917|access-date=2022-02-17|website=LEFIGARO|language=fr}}</ref>
On 17 November 2018, Driss Guerraoui was appointed by King Mohammed VI as president of the Competition Council.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maroc : les dossiers qui attendent Driss Guerraoui, nouveau président du Conseil de la concurrence|url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/669866/economie/maroc-les-dossiers-qui-attendent-driss-guerraoui-nouveau-president-du-maroc-les-dossiers-qui-attendent-driss-guerraoui-nouveau-president-du-conseil-de-la-concurrence/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Jeune Afrique|date=23 November 2018 |language=fr}}</ref> In 2020, the Council recognized that the three brands targeted by the 2018 boycott campaign had reached an agreement on prices.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-17|title=Aziz Akhannouch, milliardaire et premier ministre du Maroc|url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/milliardaire-et-premier-ministre-du-maroc-20210917|access-date=2022-02-17|website=LEFIGARO|language=fr}}</ref>


===Milan comments===
===Milan comments===
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=== #Degage_Akhannouch campaign ===
=== #Degage_Akhannouch campaign ===
In 2022, as fuel prices continued to rise, an online campaign emerged with tens of thousands of users on Twitter and Facebook using the three French hashtags #7dh_Gazoil, #8dh_Essence and #Degage_Akhannouch ("Get out Akhannouch") to call for an immediate decrease in gas prices, accusing Akhannouch and his company Afriquia of benefiting from the crisis.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=#Dégage_Akhannouch : sur internet, la colère contre la cherté de la vie se focalise sur le chef du gouvernement marocain |url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/fr/actu-et-enquetes/maroc-campagne-akhannouch-cherte-inflation-economie-afriquia |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=Middle East Eye édition française |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Aziz Akhannouch dans le collimateur des réseaux sociaux |language=fr |url=https://www.maroc-hebdo.press.ma/aziz-akhannouch-collimateur-reseaux-sociaux |access-date=2023-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kasraoui |first=Safaa |title=#DegageAkhannouch: ‘I am Not Fake Account’ Campaign Trending in Morocco |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/07/350442/degageakhannouch-i-am-not-fake-account-campaign-trending-in-morocco |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=moroccoworldnews |language=en}}</ref> [[Abdelilah Benkirane]], head of the [[Justice and Development Party (Morocco)|Justice and Development Party]] (PJD) and former Prime Minister, said that he "didn't support" the online campaign, adding that "only Sidna (our lord) [King Mohammed VI] has the competence (…) to put an end to this cabinet and call for the organisation of early legislative elections".<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yabiladi.com |title=Benkirane s’oppose à la campagne réclamant le départ d’Akhannouch du gouvernement |url=https://www.yabiladi.com/articles/details/129873/benkirane-s-oppose-campagne-reclamant-depart.html |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=www.yabiladi.com |language=fr}}</ref> Nevertheless, several PJD members participated in the campaign.<ref name=":2" />
In 2022, as fuel prices continued to rise, an online campaign emerged with tens of thousands of users on Twitter and Facebook using the three French hashtags #7dh_Gazoil, #8dh_Essence and #Degage_Akhannouch ("Get out Akhannouch") to call for an immediate decrease in gas prices, accusing Akhannouch and his company Afriquia of benefiting from the crisis.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=#Dégage_Akhannouch : sur internet, la colère contre la cherté de la vie se focalise sur le chef du gouvernement marocain |url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/fr/actu-et-enquetes/maroc-campagne-akhannouch-cherte-inflation-economie-afriquia |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=Middle East Eye édition française |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Aziz Akhannouch dans le collimateur des réseaux sociaux |language=fr |url=https://www.maroc-hebdo.press.ma/aziz-akhannouch-collimateur-reseaux-sociaux |access-date=2023-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kasraoui |first=Safaa |title=#DegageAkhannouch: 'I am Not Fake Account' Campaign Trending in Morocco |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/07/350442/degageakhannouch-i-am-not-fake-account-campaign-trending-in-morocco |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=moroccoworldnews |language=en}}</ref> [[Abdelilah Benkirane]], head of the [[Justice and Development Party (Morocco)|Justice and Development Party]] (PJD) and former Prime Minister, said that he "didn't support" the online campaign, adding that "only Sidna (our lord) [King Mohammed VI] has the competence (…) to put an end to this cabinet and call for the organisation of early legislative elections".<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yabiladi.com |title=Benkirane s'oppose à la campagne réclamant le départ d'Akhannouch du gouvernement |url=https://www.yabiladi.com/articles/details/129873/benkirane-s-oppose-campagne-reclamant-depart.html |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=www.yabiladi.com |language=fr}}</ref> Nevertheless, several PJD members participated in the campaign.<ref name=":2" />


=== 2023 Marrakesh Earthquake ===
=== 2023 Marrakesh Earthquake ===
Line 135: Line 138:
As Minister of Agriculture, Akhannouch hosted King Mohammed VI and his immediate family for [[Iftar|Ramadan iftar]] on two separate occasions in 2013 and 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Le roi Mohammed VI prend le f'tour chez Akhannouch |url=https://telquel.ma/2016/06/23/le-roi-mohammed-vi-prend-le-ftour-chez-akhannouch_1503381 |last=Oudrhiri |first=Kaouthar |date=2016-06-23 |access-date=2023-02-14 |work=Telquel}}</ref>
As Minister of Agriculture, Akhannouch hosted King Mohammed VI and his immediate family for [[Iftar|Ramadan iftar]] on two separate occasions in 2013 and 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Le roi Mohammed VI prend le f'tour chez Akhannouch |url=https://telquel.ma/2016/06/23/le-roi-mohammed-vi-prend-le-ftour-chez-akhannouch_1503381 |last=Oudrhiri |first=Kaouthar |date=2016-06-23 |access-date=2023-02-14 |work=Telquel}}</ref>


On 21 November 2022, government spokesperson [[Mustapha Baitas]] announced that Akhannouch had tested positive for [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-21 |title=بايتاس يعلن إصابة رئيس الحكومة بـ"كورونا" |url=https://www.hespress.com/بايتاس-يعلن-إصابة-رئيس-الحكومة-بـكورو-1080797.html |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=Hespress - هسبريس جريدة إلكترونية مغربية |language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kasraoui |first=Safaa |title=Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch Tests Positive for COVID-19 |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/11/352490/moroccos-head-of-government-aziz-akhannouch-tests-positive-for-covid-19 |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=moroccoworldnews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Aziz Akhannouch testé positif au Covid-19 , H24info |url=https://www.h24info.ma/maroc/aziz-akhannouch-teste-positif-au-covid-19/ |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=h24info |language=fr-FR}}</ref>
On 21 November 2022, government spokesperson [[Mustapha Baitas]] announced that Akhannouch had tested positive for [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-21 |title=بايتاس يعلن إصابة رئيس الحكومة بـ"كورونا" |url=https://www.hespress.com/بايتاس-يعلن-إصابة-رئيس-الحكومة-بـكورو-1080797.html |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=Hespress - هسبريس جريدة إلكترونية مغربية |language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kasraoui |first=Safaa |title=Morocco's Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch Tests Positive for COVID-19 |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/11/352490/moroccos-head-of-government-aziz-akhannouch-tests-positive-for-covid-19 |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=moroccoworldnews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Aziz Akhannouch testé positif au Covid-19 , H24info |url=https://www.h24info.ma/maroc/aziz-akhannouch-teste-positif-au-covid-19/ |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=h24info |language=fr-FR}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{Prime ministers of Morocco}}
{{Prime ministers of Morocco}}
{{Current heads of government}}
{{Cabinet of Abdelilah Benkirane}}
{{Cabinet of Abdelilah Benkirane}}
{{Cabinet of Abbas El Fassi}}
{{Cabinet of Abbas El Fassi}}
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Moroccan Muslims]]
[[Category:People from Tafraout]]
[[Category:People from Tafraout]]
[[Category:Prime Ministers of Morocco]]
[[Category:Prime Ministers of Morocco]]

Revision as of 17:23, 26 April 2024

Aziz Akhannouch
عزيز أخنوش
ⵄⴰⵣⵉⵣ ⴰⵅⵏⵏⵓⵛ
Akhannouch in 2024
17th Prime Minister of Morocco
Assumed office
7 October 2021
MonarchMohammed VI
Preceded bySaadeddine Othmani
Leader of the National Rally of Independents
Assumed office
12 October 2016
Preceded bySalaheddine Mezouar
Ministerial offices
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests
In office
6 April 2017 – 10 September 2021
Prime MinisterSaadeddine Othmani
Preceded byHimself (as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries)
Succeeded byMohamed Sadiki
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries
In office
15 October 2007 – 6 April 2017
Prime MinisterAbbas El Fassi
Abdelilah Benkirane
Preceded byMohand Laenser
Succeeded byHimself (as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests)
Personal details
Born (1961-08-16) 16 August 1961 (age 62)
Tafraout, Morocco
Political partyNational Rally of Independents (2007–2012, 2016–present)
Other political
affiliations		Independent (2012–2016)
SpouseSalwa Idrissi
Children3
Alma materUniversité de Sherbrooke
OccupationBusinessman, Politician
Websitewww.akwagroup.com

Aziz Akhannouch (Arabic: عزيز أخنوش, Tamazight: ⵄⴰⵣⵉⵣ ⴰⵅⵏⵏⵓⵛ, romanized: Ɛaziz Axnnuc; born 16 August 1961)[1][2] is a Moroccan politician, businessman, and billionaire who is currently the Prime Minister of Morocco since his government took office on 7 October 2021.[3] He is the CEO of Akwa Group and also served as Minister of Agriculture from 2007 to 2021.

Akhannouch's political career has been generally characterized by several controversies, including accusations of corruption and negative relations with the press.[4][5] His government has been additionally marked by inflation, as well as continued suppression of dissenting opinions.[6][7][8] It has been suggested that Akhannouch may have been elected by election fraud and vote buying, as the previous party, the PJD saw its support collapse from 125 to just 12 seats.[9][10][11]

Early life and education

Akhannouch was born in 1961 in Tafraout and raised in Casablanca.[12][13] He comes from the Amazigh tribe of Souss of Aït Ammeln. His mother and sister were survivors of the 1960 Agadir earthquake that killed ten of his family members; they were reported to have been left buried beneath rubble for several hours before being rescued.[14]

In 1986, Akhannouch graduated from the Université de Sherbrooke with a management diploma.[15]

Business

He is the CEO of Akwa Group, a Moroccan conglomerate particularly active in the oil and gas sector.[16] Forbes estimated his net worth as $1.4 billion in November 2013.[17] Akhannouch inherited Akwa from his father.[17] In 2020, he was ranked 12th on Forbes's annual list of Africa's wealthiest billionaires, with an estimated net worth of $2 billion.[18]

Political career

Akhannouch with Fumio Kishida in 2022

From 2003 to 2007, Akhannouch was the president of the Souss-Massa-Drâa regional council.[15] He was a member of the National Rally of Independents party, before leaving it on 2 January 2012.[19][20]

He served as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries between 2007 and 2021, During this period, he successfully implemented the Green Morocco Plan, an ambitious agricultural development strategy that was introduced by King Mohammed VI in April 2008 and has received international recognition and admiration as a true model and example.[21]

On 23 August 2013, he was appointed by King Mohammed VI as Minister of Finance on an interim basis after Istiqlal ministers resigned from Benkirane's cabinet, a position he kept until 9 October 2013.[15]

On 27 July 2016, Akhannouch met with Jonathan Pershing, Special Envoy for Climate Change for the United States. They spoke about preparations for the 2016 United Nations Conference of the Parties.[22]

On 29 October 2016, Akhannouch rejoined the RNI after being elected as president of the party. He took over Salaheddine Mezouar's position, who had resigned following the 2016 general election.[23]

In March 2020, through his company Afriquia, a subsidiary of the Akwa group, Akhannouch donated roughly one billion dirhams ($103.5 million) to a COVID-19 pandemic management fund founded by King Mohammed VI.[24][25]

Prime Minister of Morocco (2021—present)

See also: List of international prime ministerial trips made by Aziz Akhannouch
Akhannouch with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Rabat, Morocco, on 29 March 2022

In the 2021 general election, his party placed first, winning 222 seats of the 435 seats, while the governing Justice and Development Party lost 113 of its previous seats. On 10 September 2021, he was appointed as Prime Minister by King Mohammed VI, succeeding Saadeddine Othmani, and was tasked by the King to form a new government.[3][26][27][28][29]

Akhannouch announced the formation of an official coalition government alongside the PAM and Istiqlal parties on 22 September 2021,[30] thus officiating his status as Prime Minister-designate of Morocco. On 7 October 2021, he assumed office as the new Prime Minister.[31][32] Since taking office, Akhannouch has represented King Mohammed VI at several foreign engagements and read speeches delivered by him during summits, including at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference.[33]

In late October 2021, Akhannouch was criticized by Moroccan citizens for wearing a pin of the MENA region that excluded Western Sahara while attending a Green Initiative event in Saudi Arabia.[34]

In September 2022, Akhannouch attended the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.[35]

On 11 October 2022, Akhannouch met with Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg along with his business partners in Rabat,[36] in order to boost economic trade between Morocco and Luxembourg.[37][38]

In December 2022, he attended the United States–Africa Leaders Summit 2022 and met with US President Joe Biden.[39]

On 1 February 2023, Akhannouch participated with Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez in the 12th edition of the Morocco-Spain High Level Meeting in Rabat,[40][41] in which both countries signed a total of 19 bilateral agreements concerning a plethora of sectors.[42][43]

In July 2023, Akhannouch attended the 2023 Russia–Africa Summit in Saint Petersburg.[44] In 2024, he attended the Italia-Africa summit in Rome and met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella.[45][46]

Controversies

Akhannouch was the target of several accusations of corruption during his time as Minister of Agriculture. In 2017, the Secretary General of the Istiqlal Party, Hamid Chabat, accused him of stealing 13 billion Moroccan dirhams intended to go towards gas compensation during a party meeting. At a previous gathering in Fez, he additionally accused Akhannouch of corruption, and implied that his $2 billion fortune was the equivalent of "all that 30 million Moroccans own".[4] An open letter to King Mohammed VI from blogger Maysa Salama al-Naji published online in June 2021 cited a 400-page report counting corruption charges against Akhannouch.[47]

Akhannouch has been criticized over the suppression of dissenting opinions and imprisonment of opponents, alongside calls for an end to violations of freedom of speech and the right to peaceful demonstration.[8]

17 billion case

In 2015 and 2016, after the Moroccan government of Abdelilah Benkirane decided to liberalize fuel prices, the fuel companies decided to collude with each other and not reduce prices. Among those companies was the Akwa company, owned by Akhannouch.[48]

The profits of these companies amounted to about 17 billion dirhams (around US$1.75 billion), and several parties described them as immoral and illegal profits on the back of the Moroccan people. There were still several demands to restore them, whether in Parliament or in the media.[49][50][51][52]

During the period following the case, the president of the Competition Council, Driss Guerraoui [fr], prepared a report on Akhannouch's illegal profits, and submitted it to King Mohammed VI.[53] In March 2021, Guerraoui was relieved of his position and replaced by Ahmed Rahhou.[54]

Press relations

As of 2016, the Ministry of Agriculture spent several million dirhams annually in massive advertising in the country's print press.[5] If a newspaper criticized Akhannouch or his Maroc Vert plan, it immediately saw the Ministry's advertisements cut off, along with those of the Akwa group.[5]

In 2017, Akhannouch sued three journalists from the Badil news site for having criticized him. He demanded that they pay him 1 million dirhams.[55]

2018 boycott

Main article: 2018 Boycott in Morocco

In the spring of 2018, Morocco was shaken by a boycott movement launched against Centrale Danone, Sidi Ali (mineral water) and Akwa's subsidiary Afriquia. The three brands, which are major distributors of three basic products – milk, water and fuel – were accused by the population of charging very high prices. The movement became extremely popular, leading to reactions from the government.[10][56][57]

According to the French think tank School of Thought on Economic Warfare (EPGE), which investigated the boycott movement, it was a campaign of "hierarchized" disinformation "therefore orchestrated by a precise political agenda", which would have benefited from a substantial budget, with for example between 100,000 and 500,000 euros for the purchase of online space to disseminate the ideas of the movement, as well as expensive donation campaigns to the poor to mobilize public opinion. According to the same study, the movement of Al Adl Wa Al Ihssane would be behind this boycott campaign with the aim of removing Akhanouch from the political scene.[58]

Akhannouch himself said he "ignored" the boycott campaign while speaking to Jeune Afrique, accusing opponents of "exploiting Moroccans' hardship for political goals".[11][59]

On 17 November 2018, Driss Guerraoui was appointed by King Mohammed VI as president of the Competition Council.[60] In 2020, the Council recognized that the three brands targeted by the 2018 boycott campaign had reached an agreement on prices.[61]

Milan comments

In December 2019, during a meeting in Milan with Moroccans living in Italy, Akhannouch declared, "Whoever believes that they can come and insult the institutions of the country has no place in Morocco. Whoever wants to live in Morocco must respect its motto and its democracy. Insults will not move us forward. And excuse me, but it is not justice that should do this job. […] We must re-educate Moroccans who lack education."[62] The remarks triggered strong reactions from Moroccan politicians and citizens as well as a call for the resuming of the 2018 boycott of his companies.[62] TelQuel attributed his comments in relation to the arrest & prosecution of a Moroccan YouTuber after he published a video criticizing King Mohammed VI's speeches.[62][63] The Milan comments were alluded to in the popular music video "M3a L3echrane" by Dizzy DROS.[64]

2021 election

In the runup to the 2021 general election, Abdellatif Ouahbi, Secretary General of the Authenticity and Modernity Party which later joined the government coalition, accused Akhannouch of "flooding the political scene with money", while the Justice and Development Party heading the outgoing coalition condemned the "obscene use of funds to lure voters and some polling station supervisors", without naming any parties.[65] Additionally, the party also alleged "serious irregularities" in the voting process.[9] Nabil Benabdallah, head of the Party of Progress and Socialism, criticized the RNI during an interview for giving sums of money to lure candidates from other parties "in full view of everyone".[65] An RNI spokesperson contacted by Agence France-Presse said the accusations had been "rejected" by the party, and declined any further comments.[65]

Rising prices and inflation

Throughout less than 200 days into Akhannouch's time in office, he became a target of Moroccans calling for his resignation, accusing him of corruption. The prices of fuel and several essential food products have skyrocketed in recent months, as the price of a 5-litre bottle of vegetable oil increased by 27 dirhams, while the price of 25 kg of semolina, widely used in Moroccan cuisine, increased by 50 dirhams. The inflation affected many vulnerable families, in which more than 430,000 Moroccans lost their jobs.[6][7]

#Degage_Akhannouch campaign

In 2022, as fuel prices continued to rise, an online campaign emerged with tens of thousands of users on Twitter and Facebook using the three French hashtags #7dh_Gazoil, #8dh_Essence and #Degage_Akhannouch ("Get out Akhannouch") to call for an immediate decrease in gas prices, accusing Akhannouch and his company Afriquia of benefiting from the crisis.[11][66][67][68] Abdelilah Benkirane, head of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) and former Prime Minister, said that he "didn't support" the online campaign, adding that "only Sidna (our lord) [King Mohammed VI] has the competence (…) to put an end to this cabinet and call for the organisation of early legislative elections".[11][69] Nevertheless, several PJD members participated in the campaign.[11]

2023 Marrakesh Earthquake

On 8 September 2023, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 Mw hit Marrakesh-Safi region of Morocco.[70][71] Akhannouch received criticism from the Moroccan people for his absence and lack of management towards those affected by the earthquake.[72][73] 2 days after the earthquake occurred, Akhannouch sent his condolences to families affected by the disaster.[74][75][76] Akhannouch pledged to rebuild all infrastructures destroyed by earthquake.[77]

Personal life

Akhannouch is married to Salwa Idrissi, a businesswoman who owns a company active in malls and holds the Moroccan franchises for brands such as Gap and Zara.[17] They have three children.[78]

As Minister of Agriculture, Akhannouch hosted King Mohammed VI and his immediate family for Ramadan iftar on two separate occasions in 2013 and 2016.[79]

On 21 November 2022, government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas announced that Akhannouch had tested positive for COVID-19.[80][81][82]

References

  1. ^ "Aziz Akhannouch". Jeune Afrique.
  2. ^ "ⵜⴰⵔⵉⴷⵉⵔⵜ ⵜⴰⵏⴽⴽⵉⵏⵜ". www.cg.gov.ma. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Le Roi Mohammed VI nomme Aziz Akhannouch chef du gouvernement". Medias24 (in French). 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Petroleum group of Morocco Denounces Chabat's Rumors about Akhannouch". Morocco World News. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "Maroc : Aziz Akhannouch, le magnat qui bouscule la politique". Middle East Eye édition française (in French). Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  6. ^ a b El Atti, Basma (16 February 2022). "'Akhannouch out': Moroccans call on PM to resign over rising prices". The New Arab. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  7. ^ a b Rabat, Basma El Atti ــ (16 February 2022). "Moroccans call on PM Akhannouch to resign over rising prices". The New Arab. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  8. ^ a b د, ق. "المساء - حكومة أخنوش تدعم الفساد وتهدد استقرار البلاد". المساء (in Arabic). Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Moderate parties win big in Moroccan elections – DW – 09/09/2021". dw.com. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  10. ^ a b Saleh, Heba (7 June 2018). "Morocco's biggest businesses hit by online boycott campaign". Financial Times. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d e El Atti, Basma (18 July 2022). "Massive digital campaign spurt up against Morocco's rich PM". The New Arab. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  12. ^ "Biographie du Chef du Gouvernement". www.cg.gov.ma. Retrieved 24 December 2022..
  13. ^ Bihmidine, Omar (12 October 2013). "Profile of Aziz Akhannouch, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Fisheries". Morocco World News. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Aziz Akhannouch, the billionaire ally of Morocco's Mohammed VI". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  15. ^ a b c Boum, Aomar; Park, Thomas K. (2016). Historical Dictionary of Morocco (3rd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 34–35. ISBN 9781442262966. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  16. ^ "Parcours : Les success stories du souss". Archived from the original on 19 April 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aziz Akhannouch.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Aziz Akhannouch.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries
2007–2017 		Succeeded by
Himself
(as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests)
Preceded by
Himself
(as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries)
 Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests
2017–2021 		Succeeded by
Mohamed Sadiki
Preceded by Prime Minister of Morocco
2021–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the National Rally of Independents
2016–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aziz_Akhannouch&oldid=1220908880"