Morocco’s King Mohammed VI: 20 Years of Balancing Tradition and Modernization

The perception that AFP has of King Mohammed VI is that of an ambivalent man who knows how to combine continuity and modernity in the management of the affairs of the Kingdom.

Discreet heir to absolute power, Mohammed VI, who celebrates, on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, his 20th year of reign, embodies the strict continuity of the Moroccan monarchy, while displaying an image of a modern man, open to change, writes AFP.

The 23rd sovereign of the Alaouite dynasty had begun his reign on July 23, 1999, upon the death of his father, Hassan II, in a context marked by political upheavals in the region. But the sovereign has been able, with tact, to work for the great stability of the Kingdom, which has placed Morocco back at the heart of allied countries, investors and tourists.

On the security side, the same source noted that the perpetuation of the muscular security policy, openly claimed, in the name of the fight against terrorism, after the attacks in Casablanca (33 dead in 2003) and Marrakech (17 dead in 2011), is the strength of the Kingdom.

In terms of infrastructure, King Mohammed VI has launched and inaugurated major projects, including the Tanger Med Port, the immense Noor solar power plant, and the new high-speed rail line.

Diplomatically, Morocco is back, with its reintegration into the African Union in 2017, and its positions on major issues.

On the other hand, the development of the country does not really have an impact on the lives of Moroccans. In a royal message delivered in February 2018, the finding is made: "The current model no longer allows to meet the growing demands and needs of citizens, nor to reduce social inequalities".