The Walis, appointed by King Mohammed VI on the proposal of the head of government and the initiative of the minister of the interior, are regional representatives of the central government, coordinating the operations of the ministries’ decentralised departments.
They are also responsible for supervising the operations of elected representatives, whose budgets they approve, whether at the regional, provincial, prefectural, or local council level. Nothing can be accomplished without the Walis. Even the simplest event or investment, the opening of a shop or café, cannot go forward without notifying the Wali and getting the green light.
Historically their relations with local leaders had not been easy, with the latter sometimes criticising their unlimited power.
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