In commemoration of the growing diaspora abroad, King Mohammed VI designated August 10 as the National Day of Migrants in Morocco. With over five million Moroccans being diaspora members, this community’s engagement is essential to achieving a more inclusive, open, and prosperous Kingdom. A diaspora engagement model, anchored in a rights-based social contract, can reinforce this group’s political and socio-economic inclusion.
As a part of the proud Moroccan diaspora members who share in the commemoration of National Migrant’s Day this August with millions converging in our motherland this summer, I cannot help but pause, reflect, and celebrate the Moroccan diaspora and their contributions as proud ambassadors in all disciplines from sports to law, as an opportunity to revel in a spirit of unity and patriotism.
This diaspora plays a crucial role in the social, economic, and cultural development of both their host countries and Morocco itself.
Whether through material or immaterial contributions, ranging from remittances to intellectual brain power and technical expertise to contribute to Morocco’s development, our diaspora’s unwavering support to their homeland remains steadfast regardless of their hyphenated status — such as myself being Moroccan-American.
The ongoing 2024 Olympic Games, where Moroccan soccer was at the forefront of sportsmanship, is an example of Moroccan diaspora talents transcending geographical boundaries.
The ever-growing Moroccan population abroad is an asset to build bridges between Morocco and the world as well as export the diaspora expertise and resources for the betterment of the country. However, their involvement remains forgotten in terms of access to rights, notably political and social rights.
In the wake of the Arab Spring, Morocco adopted a revised constitution that tackles the rights of the Moroccan Diaspora (i.e., Articles 16-17-18-30) and grants them political rights.
However, in reality, our diaspora is still disenfranchised and our political rights and democratic representativeness remain distant. The social protection of the diaspora should take a more central position in policy-making to acknowledge the rights of the Moroccan diaspora and their dual identity.
The government and diaspora should also enhance relationships and bilateral conventions between the home country and the country of residence to ensure the rights of the diaspora are sustained. These rights include pension and other retirement benefits to guarantee foreign transfers from resident countries to the beneficiaries who choose to return to Morocco for retirement.
While bilateral Social Security conventions exist between Morocco and some European countries, these arrangements are not negotiated for many countries that host Moroccan diaspora populations — ranging from the USA to the Gulf countries.
On this National Commemoration month of the diaspora, let us celebrate the contributions of this community, , call for their integration into government institutions, and allow them to exercise their political and social rights to be in sync with the words of the Constitution.
Any tangible steps made in the ongoing development of Morocco cannot be successful without the healthy marriage of good governance and the active participation of its citizens — not only inside Morocco but also outside the country.
