The Architect of a New Morocco: King Mohammed VI’s 25-Year Reign

Marrakech – Often described as the “King of the Poor,” King Mohammed VI ascended to the throne on July 30, 1999, following the death of his father, the late King Hassan II.

As Morocco commemorates the 25th anniversary of his reign, both local and international reflect on the monarch’s historic achievements.

There is a broad consensus that the past quarter-century has been marked by remarkable progress, reforms, and enhanced international standing for the North African kingdom.

Under King Mohammed VI’s leadership, the nation has embarked on a path of modernization, with significant advancements in infrastructure, economic development, and social reforms.

The monarch’s vision has been to build a Morocco that is open, inclusive, and firmly rooted in its traditions while embracing progress.

From the outset of his reign, the King spearheaded a series of transformative initiatives aimed at advancing Morocco’s development, addressing poverty, and prioritizing the well-being of his people.

One such Initiative is the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) launched in 2005 with the aim of combating poverty, social exclusion, and regional disparities.

The INDH has focused on improving access to basic services, promoting income-generating activities, and empowering local communities.

On the political front, the monarch has championed political and institutional reforms to strengthen democracy and human rights and successfully managed the country’s democratic transition, particularly during the “Arab Spring.”

The 2011 Constitution, adopted through a referendum, marked a significant milestone in this regard. It expanded the powers of the Head of Government, enhanced the role of Parliament, and enshrined principles of good governance and gender equality. He also undertook major reforms in favor of women’s rights and national reconciliation.

On the economic front, Morocco has pursued a strategy of diversification and modernization by investing heavily in key sectors such as agriculture, industry, tourism, renewable energy, and infrastructure. The kingdom has also developed crucial industries like automotive and aeronautics and has turned towards Africa to diversify its partnerships.

Flagship projects like the Tanger-Med port, now a leading container port in Africa and the Mediterranean, have positioned Morocco as a regional hub for trade and investment.

Morocco’s foreign policy under King Mohammed VI has been characterized by a proactive and diversified approach. The country has strengthened its ties with traditional partners such as the European Union and the United States, while also forging new strategic partnerships with countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Morocco’s return to the African Union in 2017 and its growing economic and diplomatic engagement with African nations have solidified its position as a key player on the continent.

The King’s commitment to religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue has also been a hallmark of his reign. Initiatives such as the Marrakech Declaration, signed in 2016, have advocated for the protection of religious minorities and the promotion of peaceful coexistence.

As a result, Morocco’s unique model of religious moderation and its efforts to counter extremism have garnered international recognition in recent years.

Thanks to this political stability and economic growth, Morocco has also become a crucial player for the balance of the Mediterranean and the security of Europe.

‘Doubling its diplomatic gains’

In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Mohamed Bouden, an expert in contemporary international affairs, highlighted the country’s diplomatic achievements over the past 25 years.

“Morocco has managed to double its diplomatic gains and earn appreciation and respect in the East and West, among the countries of the North and the South,” he said.

Bouden emphasized that under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has developed a new international persona, striking a balance between realism and openness in dealing with an increasingly complex regional and international landscape.

The country has worked to maintain elements of continuity in its long-standing foreign policy while adapting to geopolitical changes and exploring new areas of partnership and cooperation.

“Moroccan diplomacy has proven its ability to face challenges with the necessary rigor while also having the skill to inaugurate new chapters in Morocco’s international relations based on clear determinants,” Bouden noted.

He added that Moroccan diplomacy is known in international and regional diplomatic circles for its ability to match words with actions, as demonstrated by its solidarity with brothers and friends, particularly in the Arab world and Africa.

Bouden further highlighted Morocco’s growing influence on the African continent, stating: “Since the return of the Kingdom of Morocco to the African Union with a historic speech by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in January 2017 in Addis Ababa, the Kingdom of Morocco has consolidated its role as a voice for Africa in particular and the South in general.”

He noted that since 1999, the King has made more than 50 visits to around 30 countries in the five geopolitical regions of the African continent and concluded more than 1,000 agreements with countries of the continent.

The expert also emphasized Morocco’s commitment to South-South cooperation, with the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project serving as an example of cooperation based on mutual benefit.

With this continental initiative, Bouden argued, “Morocco has shown its clear readiness to participate in the global markets for green energy, military industries, technology, and the economy of big data.”

‘A historic turning point’

Rachid Lazrak, a constitutional law and political science expert at Mohammed V University in Rabat, provided insights into the political and socio-economic achievements under King Mohammed VI’s reign.

He highlighted the 2011 Constitution as a historic turning point towards achieving democratic transition, enshrining individual freedoms and human rights.

“The creation of independent constitutional institutions such as the National Human Rights Council and the National Authority for Probity and the Prevention of Corruption has been significant,” Lazrak told MWN.

He also noted the adoption of advanced regionalization as a strategic choice to address regional disparities and empower local elites.

Lazrak emphasized that while these reforms are crucial, Morocco still faces major challenges in achieving an institutional and developmental take-off.

These include the issue of territorial unity, job creation, countering extremism and terrorism, and reforming the education system.

“His Majesty the King’s vision for sustainable development and social justice is reflected in the strategic reforms undertaken in various sectors,” Lazrak said.

Morocco’s role on the regional and international stage has been strengthened through its position as a strategic partner in combating terrorism and illegal migration, its leadership in South-South cooperation, and its active diplomacy in regional issues, he added.

Lazrak further emphasized the importance of national cohesion in addressing future challenges. For him, “these achievements and challenges reflect the dynamics that Morocco is experiencing in the era of King Mohammed VI’s rule, and require national cohesion and the strengthening of the internal front to face the challenges of the future, to consecrate a united Morocco, and the collective aspiration for Morocco to be a rising power.”

Sports as a catalyst for unity

In a conversation with MWN, Moncef Lyazghi, a researcher in sports policies, highlighted the transformative impact of sports during King Mohammed VI’s reign.

He identified Morocco’s bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup as a defining moment, connecting the aspirations of two Kings and the dreams of a nation since 1986.

“Football, given its unique magic, has contributed to strengthening national unity,” Lyazghi told MWN.

Football has created a sense of pride in belonging to the nation, with Moroccans at home and abroad celebrating together during the national team’s historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he said, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive sports policy beyond just football.

While acknowledging the progress made by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the analyst stressed the importance of developing other sports disciplines and addressing issues such as governance within sports institutions and the evaluation of the Ministry’s policies.

“The real problem, in my opinion, lies in the process of implementing a sports policy in accordance with the vision conveyed by the royal letter,” Lyazghi noted.

He highlighted the dominance of the rhetorical aspect in the 2008-2020 strategy overseen by Ministers Nawal El Moutawakel and later Moncef Belkhayat, as well as the lack of commitment by successive ministers to implement, update, and evaluate it.

The researcher further emphasized the need for good governance within sports institutions. “Until now, there is still laxity at the level of some federations and the absence of an active role for the Olympic Committee, in addition to the absence of an evaluation by the competent ministry of the policy adopted over 12 years through the announcement of the results of this policy, and also the announcement of the content of the next policy,” he said.

‘The approach and the steps are accelerating’

Zaher Badr Alazrak, a researcher at the Faculty of Legal and Economic Sciences in Mohammedia, provided an in-depth analysis of the economic and social transformations under King Mohammed VI’s leadership.

He highlighted the King’s focus on addressing major issues such as political reconciliation, ensuring political and economic transition, and improving indicators related to access to public services, poverty, and vulnerability.

“His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s directives have been gradual and have taken into account the pace of transformations in Moroccan society,” Alazrak told MWN.

Morocco has sought a new economic identity by optimizing its geographical position, with the Tanger-Med port serving as a prime example, he noted.

Alazrak emphasized that the shift towards mechanical industries, green industries, and renewable energies has accelerated Morocco’s economic transition.

He also highlighted the importance of accompanying reforms in legislation, institutions, infrastructure, and human resource development.

“Today, we are still talking about beginnings, but I believe that the approach and the steps are accelerating,” Alazrak said.

He expressed confidence that Morocco, under King Mohammed VI’s leadership, is on track to achieve the desired goals of sustainable development and stability at both the economic and political levels.

The researcher further elaborated on the major projects undertaken during King Mohammed VI’s reign.

“If the first phase had projects related to economic and legislative reforms, reducing regional disparities, advanced regionalization, and others, and the second phase was the constitutional document and the institutions that came with it,” he stated.

“Today, after the new development model, there are major projects related to economic transformation, energy transformation, and transformation at the level of society through the enactment of laws for the sector of social transformations that have taken place in Morocco.”

Morocco’s ‘serious and credible’ Autonomy Plan

Under King Mohammed VI’s leadership, Morocco has made significant strides in garnering international support for its 2007-proposed Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara.

The plan, which grants the region broad autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, has been described by the UN Security Council as “serious and credible” in successive resolutions since its introduction.

This consistent endorsement from the international body underscores the growing recognition of the Moroccan proposal as a viable path forward in resolving the long-standing dispute.

Adding to the depth of Morocco’s diplomatic momentum on the Sahara question is that, in addition to the UN council’s implicit embrace of the Autonomy Plan, the Moroccan proposal has in recent years gained the backing of numerous influential countries in recent years.

The United States, for example, recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020, a move that marked a significant shift in the diplomatic landscape.

In March 2022, Spain, a key European partner, similarly expressed its support for the Moroccan autonomy plan as the most realistic and credible basis for resolving the Sahara conflict.

These endorsements from major powers reflect the increasing international consensus around Morocco’s approach and its potential to bring lasting stability to the region.

As Morocco reflects on the past 25 years under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, the assessment of his quarter-century reign demonstrates the nation’s ability to reinvent itself and assert its position as a stable, prosperous, and reformist regional power.

The country has made significant strides in economic development, social progress, and political reforms, showcasing its commitment to achieving its development goals.

While challenges remain, Morocco looks well-positioned to continue its journey towards a more prosperous and inclusive future, consolidating its status as an indispensable actor in the region.