Morocco Reels Under Boycott Campaign

The Moroccan government is deeply concerned over an unprecedented popular campaign to boycott consumer goods from leading national companies marketing milk, mineral water and gasoline in the country, Alarabiya reported. These companies which provide jobs for thousands of citizens have been hit by huge losses, while the government is worried that the boycott campaign may be extended to include other goods. The campaign, which was launched on social media and targeted national companies one of which is owned by a minister, has succeeded in inflicting losses according to figures from the Moroccan stock markets. Moroccan citizens decided to boycott buying from these companies before the reduction of prices, while the government’s response fell to meet the citizens’ expectations, threatening otherwise to prosecute those who are boycotting buying these goods. This threat angered Moroccans who in exchange warned of boycotting other consumer goods. In its first response against the boycotting campaign, the government spokesperson Moustafa al-Khalfi said that this step will have “serious consequences on the national economy and on the country’s reputation abroad and will hurt local farmers and their families.”