Morocco Advances Amazigh Language Integration into Legal System with New Partnerships
A concerted effort to integrate the Amazigh language into Morocco’s legal and administrative frameworks gained momentum this week with the signing of three key partnership agreements. The initiative, spearheaded by the General Secretariat of the Government (SGG), aims to solidify the official status of Amazigh and ensure equitable access to law and knowledge for all citizens.
The study day, organized by the SGG on the theme of “The integration of the Amazigh language into the legislation: opportunities, potentialities and challenges,” underscored the broad scope of the undertaking, impacting “all ministerial departments,” according to a senior official. The meeting brought together representatives from the Deputy Ministry to the Head of Government responsible for the Digital Transition and the Administrative Reform, and the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture (IRCAM).
Royal Directives Fuel Language Integration
The push for Amazigh integration is rooted in ongoing royal directives emphasizing the promotion of the language as a “shared national responsibility.” These directives have spurred public administrations to take concrete steps, including regular training sessions for executives, targeted recruitment of Amazigh language skills, and the ongoing translation of legal texts.
The newly signed agreements are expected to “give a strong impulse” to this process, with a focus on practical measures to fully recognize the official nature of Amazigh. This includes accelerating the translation of existing laws and promoting its effective use across administrative, legislative, and regulatory spheres.
Digital Transition and Administrative Reform Play Key Role
The Minister Delegate in charge of the Digital Transition and the Reform of the Administration, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, highlighted her department’s commitment to the project. She emphasized the launch and support of initiatives designed to integrate Amazigh into public services, noting a “serious and responsible commitment” through a “participative approach.”
According to Seghrouchni, integrating Amazigh into the legislative system presents a significant challenge. It requires developing specialized legal drafting tools, ensuring high-quality translation, and fostering legal training in the language to guarantee “linguistic equity and equality of access to law and knowledge.” Participants were urged to formulate practical recommendations to strengthen Amazigh’s presence in national legislation.
IRCAM to Provide Expertise and Training
Ahmed Boukous, Rector of IRCAM, affirmed the Institute’s role as a “reference center in the field of translation of and to the Amazigh.” IRCAM pledged to provide expertise and guidance for projects implementing the official status of the language, as well as contributing to the selection and training of qualified personnel within administrative departments.
Boukous called for a “constructive approach” from all stakeholders – actors, institutions, and researchers – to enhance the effectiveness of the national legal system and ensure compliance with laws related to Amazigh language implementation, ultimately contributing to “linguistic and legal justice.”
Strengthening Institutional Cooperation
The three partnership agreements signed during the meeting are designed to strengthen institutional cooperation, establish effective operational mechanisms, and coordinate efforts to develop and translate legal texts into Amazigh. This collaborative approach signals a renewed commitment to fully integrating Amazigh into the fabric of Moroccan law and governance.
