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Rabat – Morocco’s Government Council, chaired by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch on Thursday in Rabat, approved a series of draft decrees introducing a new generation of biometric passports, regulating personal mobility vehicles such as electric scooters, strengthening governance in higher education, and confirming several senior government appointments.
The Council approved Draft Decree No. 2.26.551, presented by Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, paving the way for a new generation of Moroccan biometric passports designed to offer stronger security features while reflecting Morocco’s cultural identity in all its diversity.
Government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas said the new decree is part of efforts to enhance the protection of Moroccan passports against fraud and counterfeiting. The implementation details and issuance procedures will be set out in a joint decision by the ministries responsible for the interior and foreign affairs.
Baitas added that current Moroccan passports will remain valid until the new biometric passport is gradually introduced.
New Rules for Electric ScootersÂ
The government also adopted Draft Decree No. 2.25.145, amending Morocco’s Highway Code regulations to establish rules for personal mobility vehicles, including electric scooters.
The new regulations set a maximum speed of 25 km/h, require riders to wear approved protective helmets, prohibit the use of headphones while riding to ensure users can hear road warnings, and ban children under the age of eight from using these vehicles on public roads. Additional safety requirements will apply when transporting young children.
According to the Ministry of Transport, the measures are intended to reduce dangerous behavior, improve road safety, and provide a legal framework for the growing use of modern personal mobility vehicles across the country.
Higher education governance reformsÂ
In the higher education sector, the Government Council approved two draft decrees presented by Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Minister Azzedine El Midaoui.
The first decree establishes a standardized framework governing applications for the presidency of public universities, while the second sets out procedures for selecting heads of higher education institutions. The reforms aim to strengthen transparency, merit-based appointments, equal opportunity, and efficient governance in line with Morocco’s Higher Education Framework Law No. 59.24.
Senior government appointmentsÂ
The Government Council also approved several senior appointments.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Omar Rabi was appointed Director of American Affairs, while Nada Bakkali Hassani became Director of Public Diplomacy and Non-State Actors.
Mustapha Amedjar was appointed Director of Communication and Relations with Media Stakeholders at the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication.
Kotayfa El Karkri was named Secretary-General at the Ministry Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform.
Halima Ghiate was appointed Director of Relations with Civil Society at the Ministry Delegate in charge of Relations with Parliament.
