Le Maroc écarté du Prix Nelson Mandela 2025 en raison de son bilan déplorable en matière de droits de l’homme
Summary of the Nelson Mandela Prize Award 2025
The United Nations has officially awarded the 2025 Nelson Mandela Prize to Canadian activist Brenda Reynolds and Kenyan leader Kennedy Odede. This decision marks a significant setback for Morocco’s candidate, Amina Bouayach, the president of the National Human Rights Council, amid widespread criticism regarding Morocco’s human rights record. The nomination sparked outrage from Sahrawi groups and various human rights organizations, which labeled it a betrayal of Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
Following the announcement, numerous petitions and condemnation letters flooded in from Sahrawi organizations, journalists, and Moroccan human rights advocates. They characterized Bouayach’s nomination as a "historic affront" and a violation of the principles of justice and dignity embodied by Mandela. Local activists demanded that the Moroccan nomination be withdrawn to maintain the credibility of United Nations institutions, condemning it as a “moral and political scandal.”
The UN’s decision to honor Reynolds and Odede recognizes their advocacy for justice, community empowerment, and resistance against oppression—principles that resonate deeply with Mandela’s values. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to present the award to the recipients on July 18, in conjunction with International Nelson Mandela Day.
Established in 2014, the Nelson Mandela Prize is awarded every five years to individuals who have made significant contributions in areas such as poverty alleviation, social justice, human rights, and conflict resolution, celebrating Mandela’s enduring legacy.
