Doha – On October 12, French public channel Public Sénat aired a thought-provoking documentary titled “Le parcours d’un roi – Le Maroc de Mohammed VI” (“The Journey of a King – The Morocco of Mohammed VI”).

The 56-minute film, directed by journalists Yves Derai and Michaël Darmon, offers a comprehensive and nuanced portrait of King Mohammed VI’s 25-year reign, which began in 1999, and the profound transformations he has led to fruition in Morocco.

The documentary combines exclusive archival footage with insightful interviews featuring prominent Moroccan and French personalities, including former French President François Hollande, Jeune Afrique’s publication director François Soudan, French Senate President Gérard Larcher, Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah, and renowned scholar Asmaa Lamrabet, among others.

Through this diverse array of perspectives, the film aims to shed light on the often discreet but highly influential monarch, exploring how he has reshaped Morocco into a regional powerhouse while navigating complex domestic and international challenges. As the documentary notes in its opening, “Under his reign, Morocco has become an African political and economic power. How did he transform his country in this way?”

A new royal vision

From the outset, the documentary emphasizes the stark contrast between King Mohammed VI’s leadership style and that of his late father, King Hassan II. Commentators note that while Hassan II was known for his authority and distance, Mohammed VI has cultivated a more accessible and modern image, earning him the moniker “King of the Young.”

“In contrast to the ‘authoritarianism’ of his father, he introduced a ‘form of governance based on popular consent,’” the documentary explains, adding that the King has sought to govern through consensus-building and inspiration from his grandfather Mohammed V, rather than the more rigid approach of Hassan II.

Archival footage depicts the young King as more in touch with the everyday lives of Moroccans, willing to break with traditional royal protocols. “King Mohammed VI has proven to be modern, closer to the people, appearing in moments of daily life that break with the rigidities of monarchical protocol,” the film notes.

However, commentators are quick to point out that while King Mohammed VI has ushered in a new style of governance, he has maintained a strong executive monarchy, with himself at the center of decision-making. The King’s vision, the documentary suggests, is one of a gradual evolution towards modernity and inclusivity, rather than a radical break with Morocco’s monarchical traditions.

Landmark social and political reforms

The documentary highlights the groundbreaking social reforms spearheaded by King Mohammed VI, particularly in the realm of women’s rights. The 2004 reform of the Moudawana, or family code, is presented as a historic turning point that granted Moroccan women unprecedented legal protections and freedoms.

“The reform of the Moudawana, which grants new rights to women, is seen as a ‘historical turning point,’” the film explains, noting that the King is portrayed as “a resolutely reforming monarch, eager to make Moroccan society evolve while taking into account cultural and religious sensitivities.”

However, the documentary also acknowledges the challenges and resistance these reforms have faced from conservative elements of society. “Despite the reform of the Moudawana, Moroccan women continue to face inequalities,” it notes, adding that these reforms, while groundbreaking at the time, now seem “incomplete,” prompting the King to “encourage a new debate on updating the family code.”

Commentators situate these reforms within the King’s broader vision of a modern, inclusive Morocco that balances social progress with respect for cultural and religious traditions. As Asmaa Lamrabet, a prominent scholar featured in the documentary, explains, “Despite the brakes of conservative forces, Mohammed VI decided to carry the cause of women in a Moroccan society strongly marked by patriarchy.”

The documentary also touches upon the 2011 constitution and the rise of the Islamist PJD party in the context of the Arab Spring. The new constitution, adopted in the wake of the February 20 Movement protests, and the PJD’s subsequent electoral victory, are presented as examples of the King’s responsiveness to popular demands for change and his willingness to engage with diverse political forces, including Islamists, in a spirit of consensus-building.

Driving economic transformation

King Mohammed VI is portrayed as an economic reformer determined to modernize Morocco’s infrastructure and boost its competitiveness on the regional and global stage. The documentary details flagship projects such as the Tanger Med port, now one of the busiest in Africa and the world, and the high-speed Al Boraq train line, as evidence of the King’s ambitious development agenda.

“The King is described as the ‘pilot of the economy,’ driving the transformation of his country at a rapid pace,” the film notes, highlighting Morocco’s emergence as a regional economic hub linking Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. Commentators attribute this success to the King’s leadership in diversifying trade partnerships and attracting foreign investment.

The documentary provides specific metrics to illustrate Morocco’s economic progress under King Mohammed VI, noting that the country now ranks 5th on the African continent with a GDP exceeding $140 billion. It also highlights the massive transformation of Morocco’s infrastructure over the past two decades, including the expansion of its highway, rail, and airport networks, and its positioning as a leader in renewable energy.

“The economy first seems to be the leitmotif of the King, who intends to ‘create the ideal conditions to improve the business climate,’” the documentary explains, quoting Chakib Alj, president of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, who says Morocco’s free trade agreements with some 50 countries is evidence of its exceptional economic platform.

The film also highlights the King’s strategic focus on African markets, facilitated by Morocco’s 2017 return to the African Union after a 33-year absence. “This return to Africa means that we want the development of our country, but we cannot achieve it alone without regional integration, without the development of the entire continent,” explains Nadia Fettah, Minister of Economy and Finance. “Morocco arrived as a brother, but also as a force of proposal.”

The Sahara issue: Asserting sovereignty

The documentary devotes significant attention to the Western Sahara dispute, framing it as a central preoccupation of King Mohammed VI’s foreign policy. The King is shown as determined to secure international recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the contested territory, which has been a source of tension with neighboring Algeria and the Polisario Front separatist movement.

“Since his accession to the throne, Mohammed VI has made the Moroccanness of the Sahara a national priority, mobilizing all diplomatic levers to obtain international recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over this region,” the film notes, highlighting milestones such as the United States’ recognition of Moroccan sovereignty in 2020.

Commentators emphasize the King’s two-pronged strategy of asserting Morocco’s legal and historical rights to the territory while investing heavily in its economic and social development. “In parallel, Mohammed VI has multiplied initiatives to ‘strengthen the economic development of the Sahara,’ notably through investments in local infrastructure, aimed at ‘improving the living conditions of Sahrawi populations’ and ‘establishing the Moroccan presence in the region,’” the documentary explains.

However, the film also acknowledges the ongoing challenges posed by the conflict, particularly tensions with Algeria, which has historically supported the Polisario Front. The documentary notes that this “rivalry” with Algeria remains one of Morocco’s main geopolitical challenges, with direct repercussions on bilateral relations between the two countries.

Morocco and France: Navigating a complex partnership

While celebrating King Mohammed VI’s achievements, the documentary also grapples with recent tensions in Morocco’s vital but complex relationship with France, its former colonial power and a key ally. Episodes like the 2021 visa crisis, which saw France drastically reduce the number of visas granted to Moroccans, and the Pegasus spyware scandal, are presented as tests for the partnership.

“The visa crisis, triggered by France’s decision to drastically reduce the number of visas granted to Moroccans, was ‘perceived as a humiliation,’ notably for the ‘economic and political elites,’” the film notes, adding that the Franco-Moroccan relationship has always been “marked by ups and downs.”

However, commentators express hope that France’s recent official announcement of support of Morocco’s position on Western Sahara may herald a lasting appeasement between the two countries. “France’s recent support for the Moroccanness of the Sahara, formalized in July 2024, could ‘mark a lasting reconciliation’ between the two countries,” the documentary suggests.

The Sahara issue is thus presented not only as a central priority for King Mohammed VI but also as a key factor shaping Morocco’s evolving international partnerships, particularly with France and the United States.

Former French President François Hollande, interviewed in the film, speaks on the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship, describing Morocco as a “key partner in the fight against terrorism” and praising King Mohammed VI’s “stabilizing role in a region often marked by political turbulence.”

Challenges and resilience: Addressing inequalities and natural disasters

The documentary does not shy away from discussing the challenges that persist in Morocco, particularly in terms of social and regional inequalities. The film notes that despite the country’s economic progress, rural areas continue to suffer from poverty and a lack of infrastructure.

The devastating September 2023 earthquake is presented as a tragic event that highlighted these “flaws in the system.” In the wake of the disaster, the documentary emphasizes, King Mohammed VI reaffirmed the need for social reforms aimed at “strengthening the social state” and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.

Commentators stress that while the King’s reforms have laid the groundwork for long-term development, much work remains to be done to ensure that the benefits of growth are more evenly distributed and that all Moroccans, regardless of their socioeconomic status or region, have access to opportunities and basic services.