Around sixty, Mohamed VI has spent a quarter of a century on the Moroccan throne. He was crowned shortly after his father Hassan II’s death. The era of his rule is often linked with long-standing grip and the so-called “years of lead,” yet his arrival brought changes in several social spheres. The reform of the family code in 2003 and a new diplomatic outlook aimed at deepening ties across Africa signaled a shift. Unlike his father, who opted to sit out the African Union, Mohamed VI chose reintegration and to strengthen ties with southern neighbors, emphasizing economic and religious diplomacy across the continent.
Large infrastructure has defined this new period as well. The Tanger Med port, the Mediterranean’s largest, opened in 2007, and a high-speed rail line connects Tangier to Casablanca. Yet these megaprojects do not reach every corner of the country. While coastal cities boast new highways and grand seafronts, rural areas struggle with limited resources, weak connectivity, and scarce opportunities. Morocco currently ranks 120th out of 192 in the Human Development Index, lagging twenty places behind some Maghreb neighbors.
Nueva Constitución
The year 2011 brought a new constitution in response to protests linked to the February 20 Movement and the wider Arab Spring. Crowds filled major cities with cries of “Justice, Freedom, Dignity.” Demonstrators demanded stronger action against corruption and a broader power balance between Parliament, government, and the monarchy. While protests did not call for the monarchy’s end, they sought greater legislative power and government authority.
The new charter defined the separation of powers and granted the Parliament and the executive a larger role. Yet the king continues to set major national directions, personally appointing key ministers such as Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Islamic Affairs. The constitution also recognized Amazigh as an official language alongside Arabic and enshrined gender equality.
Another pivotal protest movement emerged in autumn 2016 in the Rif region, calling for more social rights and better infrastructure in the northeast. About five hundred people were arrested, and the leading figures remain imprisoned, including Nasr Zefzafi, who is serving a 20-year sentence.
Moroccan Diplomacy
A core focus of Moroccan diplomacy under Mohamed VI has been garnering support for the autonomy plan for Western Sahara. Today, about twenty countries, mostly in Africa, have opened consulates in Dakhla and El Aaiún. Several European partners, including Spain and Germany, have described the Moroccan proposal as realistic or viable, though they agree that the United Nations must resolve the issue. The United States recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara at the end of the Trump administration and said a consulate would be opened, though this has not yet materialized.
The rapprochement with Israel has also shaped Morocco’s international strategy. In 2020 Morocco joined the Abraham Accords and normalized relations with Israel. In July of the previous year, Israel recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. This shift has been controversial within Moroccan society, especially after the Gaza conflict began. Demonstrations opposing normalization have been common, with collective calls to halt foreign policy toward Tel Aviv. Morocco has sent aid to Gaza by land and supports a two-state solution while condemning the bombing of civilians.
Social Challenges
Organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have criticized Morocco on press freedom and the detention of journalists. Reporters Without Borders places Morocco at 129 out of 180 in its freedom of the press index and notes that Moroccan journalists face constant pressure. In early 2023, the European Parliament adopted a resolution urging authorities to respect freedom of expression and media freedoms and to ensure fair trials for jailed journalists such as Omar Radi, Sulaiman Raisuni, and Taufik Buachrine.
One of the country’s major tests is its people’s economic strain amid rising daily prices. Drought and water scarcity have driven inflation and prompted state measures to conserve water. Morocco is nearing the final phase of a reform to the Family Code ordered by the king a year ago. While the specifics are still debated by human rights advocates, topics include inheritance, divorce, and ensuring gender equality, with aims to prohibit child marriage and polygamy.
Against these challenges, the nation is preparing the ground for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will host alongside Spain and Portugal. Stadiums are being expanded, and a plan for the Grand Stadium of Casablanca, capable of seating 115,000 spectators, has been unveiled to position this venue among the world’s largest. The king announced that Morocco, together with its neighbors, would host this premier global event, marking a significant milestone of his reign.