Morocco’s King Mohammed VI: 20 Years of Progress and Challenges in Social Reform

"Twenty years after his accession to the throne, Mohammed VI has not yet been able to meet the aspirations for social progress of Moroccans," writes journalist Aïcha Akalay. She will also recall the mea culpa of the King, who expressed himself in these terms two years ago: "We note with annoyance that, in some social sectors, the assessment and the reality of the achievements are below expectations. Aren’t we ashamed to point out that these results are the work of today’s Morocco?"

Aïcha Akalay pointed out that if the Sovereign has not yet been able to find the right formula to ensure social progress for his people, this is due "to the contradictions of his own system". "By confusing political stability and institutional immobility, the public authorities, she explains, have ignored the impatience of the population to see their social expectations met." Similarly, the weakening of intermediary bodies, more precisely of political parties, trade unions and the media, has been accelerated by the distrust of power towards these possible spaces of freedom and exercise of citizenship.

However, everything suggests that "the sclerosis of the State, inherited from the era of Hassan II, is an incurable disease."

To succeed socially, the journalist suggests to the King to "review public policies, which feed a rentier capitalism to the detriment of a productive market economy that generates wealth for the greatest number."

"For the good of the Moroccans, the monarchy must integrate the virtues of sharing in the management of public affairs. A long process that no magic wand will make easy," she concludes.