Marrakech mayor El Mansouri denies allegations over family land sales

Friday 25 July 2025 - 08:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Marrakech mayor El Mansouri denies allegations over family land sales

Fatima Zahra El Mansouri, Morocco’s Minister of National Planning and Mayor of Marrakech, has firmly rejected allegations regarding the sale of her family’s land near Marrakech, calling them unfounded and defamatory. The allegations, widely circulated on social media, claimed that her family improperly sold state or communal lands.

In an official statement, El Mansouri clarified that the property in question was privately inherited from her late father, Si Abdelrahman El Mansouri, who purchased the land legally in 1978 from private owners. She emphasized that the land was neither state-owned nor part of tribal or communal lands.

The mayor explained that the inheritance process began only after her mother’s death in 2023, in full compliance with Moroccan legal procedures. Additionally, the family’s legal representative handled all sales transparently, declaring transactions to tax authorities and paying all required dues.

Legal and transparent processes

El Mansouri underscored that all proceeds from the sales were reinvested into legal and declared projects in Marrakech. She added that the land, located in the rural commune of Tassoultante, was subject to zoning regulations approved in 2017, long before she assumed her mayoral or ministerial roles.

To further affirm her transparency, El Mansouri pointed out that she has declared her assets to Morocco’s Court of Auditors since her first election as mayor in 2009. These declarations, she noted, include the mentioned land and are publicly accessible under the country’s right-to-information laws.

Defamation lawsuit and call for responsible reporting

Calling the allegations a “defamatory campaign,” El Mansouri condemned the attacks on her integrity and family reputation. She revealed that her family’s legal representative has filed a lawsuit against those responsible for spreading the false information.

In her statement, El Mansouri urged journalists and civil society groups to verify information before sharing it. She stressed that constructive criticism is welcome, but baseless rumors harm transparency and public trust.

“Journalists and civil actors must focus on serving the truth and the public good, not promoting smear campaigns,” she concluded.