Amine Kessaci wants to continue the fight against drug trafficking from city hall

Marseille – 24 July 2026: The fight against drug trafficking in Marseille has long had a personal face for Amine Kessaci. Now, the 22-year-old is speaking about the opportunities opened up by his new municipal positions. As the fourth deputy mayor under Mayor Benoit Payan, he is responsible for youth, civic engagement and social commitment, while also chairing the municipal social housing company Marseille Habitat.

Kessaci said in a conversation with Franceinfo that these roles give him concrete room for action. His focus is not directed solely against the criminal structures of drug trafficking. Above all, he wants to reach the families of victims and young people in neighborhoods where perpetrators often lure them with promises of quick money and recognition.

The activist has been known in Marseille for years as a voice against drug trafficking. His commitment is also shaped by family losses. This is precisely why his new role is more than a usual transition from association work to politics: Kessaci represents an attempt to link prevention, social support and municipal responsibility more closely.

The city of Marseille confirmed his election as fourth deputy mayor on 28 March 2026. An official delegation order dated 15 April assigns him, among other responsibilities, municipal outreach points, volunteer services, citizen participation and the local council for security and crime prevention. He therefore works at the intersection of social issues and the city’s security problems.

In addition, he chairs Marseille Habitat. The board of directors of the social housing company, which is majority-owned by the city, elected Kessaci as its president on 19 May. According to industry data, the company manages more than 3,500 homes. For Kessaci, housing policy is not a distant administrative field: it can become immediately important for families who need protection or a fresh start after violent events.

According to his previous public statements, the central idea is to provide more targeted assistance to affected relatives with relocation and accommodation. Marseille Habitat alone would not be able to solve this task. Cooperation between several housing companies and state bodies could therefore be considered, so that families do not get lost between divided responsibilities and long waiting lists.

The security situation remains serious for Kessaci personally. According to Franceinfo, threats against him continue. Nevertheless, the new officeholder wants to maintain his approach: young people should not become visible only when investigators, courts or emergency services are already dealing with the consequences of drug trafficking. His political work will be measured by whether this aspiration leads to reliable support in everyday life in the neighborhoods.