A Quarter of a Century of His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s Reign: A Journey of Achievements Amidst Difficulties and Challenges

The new era faced many internal and international obstacles, which were taken into account when determining the nature of reforms and priorities, solidifying the royal convictions. The system of governance had to change the concept of authority underpinning the country’s administrative and political rule, starting from the first Throne Day speech on July 30, 1999, where His Majesty decided to liberate the administration from the routine of bureaucracy by opening the doors of government, listening to citizens, and linking responsibility to development as a new foundation for reforming the concept of authority and administration.

1. Royal Efforts Regarding Territorial Integrity The issue of territorial integrity occupied a significant place in His Majesty’s interest, where he emphasized that the Moroccan Sahara issue contradicts betrayal and the duplicity of positions, considering it the foremost national issue, and that it is non-negotiable. The only solution to the fabricated conflict over the Moroccan Sahara can only be within the framework of self-governance as a serious and realistic solution that respects international legitimacy and the resolutions of the Security Council. Important achievements were made in this regard, ending foreign claims on Morocco’s sovereignty, leading to a revision of countries’ positions and expanding the circle of international recognition of the Moroccan Sahara as a historical, political, and factual reality. The Sahrawi issue remained the primary concern for Morocco, both king and people, and in 2007, the Moroccan Kingdom proposed a self-governance initiative to end the fabricated dispute. His Majesty considered it the only initiative that could be negotiated, and the Sahara file is the lens through which Morocco views the world, determining friendships and partnerships. The Moroccan proposal received positive international support, especially from the decisions of the United States, Spain, Germany, and many other countries and international organizations, as it forms the basis for a political solution to the dispute within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. France also joined the list of recognitions of the Moroccan Sahara and supported the autonomy proposal for the regions of the Sahara.
2. The King as the Architect of a Rising Morocco His Majesty’s thoughts are associated with engineering the features of a new and strong Morocco and establishing a royal interest map based on his philosophy of governance through foundations governed by the new concept of authority and development as two reform entries for the new era. His Majesty traced a methodology to advance Morocco through reform and development, reflecting political, economic, and social reforms that restored Morocco’s position and value in the minds of citizens, establishing the Kingdom of Morocco as an international exception during a time of escalating regional and international crises.

A quarter of a century of King Mohammed VI’s reign was characterized by solidifying the modern open Moroccan model and expanding Morocco’s presence by launching massive projects that changed the country’s image, giving it a dignified place among nations. The speech delivered on October 12, 1999, in Casablanca marked a turning point in governance methodology and engagement with citizens, particularly by adopting a new concept and practice of authority aligned with international agreements and the requirements of protecting rights and freedoms. Thus, a break was established with classical administrative methods by imposing respect and protection for individual and collective rights and entrenching the principle of a state of law.

If the new concept of authority is considered a pillar of a quarter-century of His Majesty’s reign, this resulted in a transformation of the powers of governors and local administration officials, replacing them with competent individuals possessing developmental experience. This unified the standards for assuming and exercising public responsibilities and countered practices that harmed the image and credibility of representative institutions, holding public authorities and political parties accountable for providing legal, judicial, and administrative guarantees for the integrity of the first elections of His Majesty’s reign in 2002.

3. Combining Reform and Reconciliation Regarding the negative legacies in terms of human rights violations and their protection, His Majesty established a new philosophy based on recognizing past violations and laying the foundations for a state of law and institutions based on reconciliation and reform. In this context, His Majesty took a courageous initiative by establishing the Equity and Reconciliation Commission in January 2004, which focused on past human rights violations between 1956 and 1999, establishing reconciliation among Moroccans with each other and with their history. Compensation was provided to victims of human rights violations.

As Commander of the Faithful, His Majesty has prioritized women’s issues within legislative and institutional reforms by focusing on preserving the Moroccan family through a family code based on definitive religious texts. His Majesty assigned an advisory royal committee composed of respected scholars and experts from diverse backgrounds to undertake a substantial review of the personal status code and prepare a new family code, while adhering to the provisions of Islamic law and the objectives of tolerant Islam. He called for the application of ijtihad (independent reasoning) in deriving rulings, considering the demands of development and the spirit of the times, during the opening of the first session of the second legislative year on October 10, 2003. Since then, Morocco has had the first modern family code, aiming to protect the rights of women and children, which continues to be a topic of discussion within the bounds of Islamic law regarding what is permissible and forbidden.

4. Launching the National Initiative for Human Development Among the most important royal reforms is the National Initiative for Human Development launched by His Majesty on May 18, 2005. The initiative aimed to combat poverty, address vulnerability, and establish a state of solidarity and social economy. It exemplifies efficient triangular partnerships between the government, the private sector, and civil society. This initiative has carried projects for various social groups suffering from vulnerability and exclusion, classified among the major reforms implemented by His Majesty that have strengthened and supported the democratic process, established a rule of law and modernity, and enhanced human rights while crafting public policies that have gained exportable experiences to southern countries.
5. Linking Citizenship with Democratic Practice Since his accession to the throne, His Majesty has prioritized the project of building a democratic and modern society, subjecting democratic practices to the test of citizenship and commitment to the principle of a state of law while raising awareness of strategic choice as a comprehensive reform project aiming to democratize political life and change, qualify, and regulate the national political scene.
6. Promoting Advanced Regionalization as a Strategic Option The advanced regionalization project represents a profound change in the philosophy of managing territory and state, being the most effective way to address regional disparities and respond to the demands of the inhabitants of each area to meet their issues and expectations.
7. Balanced Royal Advocacy for Major Issues His Majesty’s memory, imbued with reformist and balanced ideas, is rooted in defending national issues and interests, adopting a cooperative approach of mutual interests, solidarity, and contributions to resolving disputes and achieving international peace and security, which has earned Morocco respect in the international community while garnering more support from the international community and the Security Council with decisions that better align with Morocco’s presence and cooperation with the United Nations.
8. Royal Focus on Expanding Strategic Economic Partnerships His Majesty’s focus on fostering partnerships, diversifying allies, and not solely relying on traditional partners while opening up to new players such as China, Russia, and India has strengthened Morocco’s global presence and power. His Majesty has led numerous major projects through partnerships related to infrastructure (roads, ports, airports, high-speed trains, etc.) or programs to promote strategic sectors such as agriculture, industry, and alternative energies, enhancing Morocco’s image and expanding countries’ conviction in Morocco’s economic and commercial potential.
9. The King’s Opposing Failures His Majesty has actively combated failures through transparency, reinforcing reform and change while implementing the principle of linking responsibility to accountability. The reform journey continues, confronting various challenges. Thanks to royal will, Morocco has proven capable of asserting the Moroccan model while demonstrating effective policies and bold, insightful decisions in the face of a complex international reality with intertwined interests.

The royal speech on March 9, 2011, served as a roadmap for comprehensive reforms and a solid foundation for establishing the Moroccan democratic choice. The Amazigh language was enshrined as an official language, as were the chapters on rights and freedoms, consistent with international norms, and the democratic emergence of the executive authority, elevating the institution of the Prime Minister to the level of government head, alongside expanding the legislative and oversight powers of Parliament, and entrenching the independence of the judiciary from both the executive and legislative branches. Foundational institutions were institutionalized, and mechanisms for good governance, such as the Competition Council and the National Authority for Integrity and Preventing Corruption, were established.

In addition to the full independence of the judiciary, independent and pluralistic bodies concerned with protecting rights and freedoms and participatory democracy were put in place, along with frameworks for good governance.

10. Royal Attention to Migrants His Majesty, since 2013, has called on Moroccan authorities to regularize the status of thousands of undocumented migrants, the vast majority of whom come from Sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel. A group of migrants obtained residency cards and now resides in Morocco legally, benefiting from education, vocational training, healthcare rights, housing, and employment.
11. Royal Support for Peace and Security Amid Security Threats In the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, Morocco has pursued a proactive, integrated, and effective security policy against terrorism since the terrorist attacks in Casablanca on May 16, 2003. This comprehensive, multi-dimensional strategy is based on three key elements: restructuring the religious field, activating the National Initiative for Human Development, and strengthening security doctrine and governance. Thanks to these measures, Morocco has received wide acclaim from many countries such as the United States, Spain, Germany, and France, in addition to the United Nations, and Morocco’s experience in combating terrorism and violent extremism is available to its partners in Africa and Europe. The Moroccan security model has become a partner in responding to terrorist threats.
12. Restructuring the Religious Field Based on his status as Commander of the Faithful, His Majesty reformed the religious field by relying on several mechanisms, including training imams, managing mosques, and educating Islamic guides, alongside promoting tolerance, moderation, and coexistence, framing the cultural diversity of Moroccan society by valuing its various elements. The religious model has been exported to Africa and Europe.
13. Return to the African Union Since Morocco’s return to the African Union and His Majesty’s speech before the 28th African Union summit on January 31, 2017, where he affirmed, “It is time for Africa to benefit from its wealth,” he called for a new phase of prosperity following decades of plundering African wealth. His country chose to share its expertise and transfer it to its African brothers, calling for the building of a solidary and secure future. His Majesty’s visits to 30 countries, encompassing around 50 diverse visits, culminated in the signing of numerous agreements and projects across various vital sectors, totaling approximately 1,000 agreements between Morocco and many African countries, facilitating Morocco’s expansion of its economic and financial investments on the continent, in line with a South-South cooperation vision. Today, Morocco is the fourth largest investor in the African continent.
14. The Moroccan Development Model as a Royal Aspiration During the opening of the first parliamentary session of the first legislative year on October 13, 2017, His Majesty called for the adoption of a new development model by reassessing the development reality and establishing a new approach focused on diagnosing citizens’ needs and finding practical solutions to real issues reflecting social disparities and inequalities.

At the opening of the first session of the second legislative year of the same legislative term on October 12, 2018, His Majesty affirmed that “the Kingdom’s development model has become unable to meet Moroccan citizens’ needs,” adding that Moroccans today require balanced and equitable development that ensures dignity for all and provides income and employment opportunities, especially for youth, contributing to reassurance, stability, and integration into professional, family, and social life, which every citizen aspires to.

In November 2019, the King appointed a special committee tasked with developing a new development model within a comprehensive and integrated strategic vision. The committee presented its report to His Majesty, including its findings and recommendations regarding the development model, offering a strategic vision for the country towards 2035.

15. Wise Royal Diplomacy It is important to note that royal diplomacy is a vital tool for addressing international realities and approaching various issues. Thanks to His Majesty’s directives, Morocco has been able to assert its rights within various United Nations bodies and the Security Council, gaining support concerning its sovereignty over the Sahara before the Security Council and affirming the political solution to the fabricated conflict within the framework of the Moroccan proposal and other issues of peace and security through a pragmatic approach, practical reasoning, and a persistent view based on consensus, exchanging ideas, and fruitful cooperation. The result was the decision of the President of the United States recognizing Morocco’s full sovereignty over its Sahara, underscoring that effective, proactive, and ambitious diplomacy follows the insightful vision of His Majesty and remains grounded in realism. This was followed by international recognitions from countries such as Germany, Spain, and several Arab, African, and Latin American countries.
16. A Quarter Century of Heavy-Laden Royal Leadership A quarter of a century of His Majesty’s reign has been marked by a significant load of reforms and achievements that cannot all be covered, as they require lengthy elaboration. It can be generally stated that a quarter of a century of King Mohammed VI’s reign is equivalent to a reform load comparable to that of several countries. These reforms are significant and represent a renewal of the relationship between citizens and their country and between the rulers and the ruled at an unprecedented level in Moroccan state history.

Dr. Ahmed Dardari
President of the International Center for Crisis Observation and Policy Forecasting