Moroccan authorities demolish homes in Rabat's L'Océan neighborhood ahead of 2030 World Cup redevelopment

The L'Océan neighborhood in Morocco's capital, Rabat, is being reduced to rubble. Once home to fishermen, workers, and artists, the area is making way for hotel complexes and stadiums. Authorities have fenced off the site, displaying a sign that reads "Rabat, City of Lights," a stark contrast to the destruction.

Bilal, a communications manager in his forties who grew up in L'Océan, watches from his window as bulldozers flatten the homes, including the one his family has occupied since 1946. He recounts how the demolition began during Ramadan 2024, just months after Moroccans celebrated being awarded the 2030 World Cup. He notes that while some neighbors were contacted by authorities, many former residents are now reluctant to speak to the media.

Reports from the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) and a legal filing by a Moroccan-British property owner corroborate Bilal's account. The owner was presented with a contract by a municipal official to sell her apartment, with the context suggesting a forced sale. The article highlights how Morocco's royal family is leveraging the upcoming World Cup to rapidly transform its cities, with Rabat serving as a showcase for the kingdom's authoritarian modernization efforts.

“

Rabat, City of Lights