Last week, King Mohammed VI of Morocco, whose health continues to decline, appointed the Crown Prince as head of the General Staff. A highly symbolic decision that comes as the social divide deepens within the country. Is the monarchical model itself under threat?
Last week in Morocco, King Mohammed VI appointed the Crown Prince as « Coordinator of General Staff Services. » A highly symbolic decision made against a backdrop of the sovereign’s continually deteriorating health. At the same time, social fractures are deepening, reflecting a country torn between the image it projects internationally and the reality imposed on its population, particularly its youth. In this context, can the Moroccan monarchy still generate political and social consensus, or is it facing a deep crisis that reveals a challenge to the monarchical model itself?
We speak with Omar Brouksy, an independent journalist and Moroccan academic, author of Morocco: End of a Reign, published by Nouveau Monde éditions.
A Monarchy Preparing for the Future Without Discussing Succession
Omar Brouksy first explains that the appointment of the Crown Prince as coordinator of General Staff services « is not a surprise »: Mohammed VI himself held this position under Hassan II. According to him, this post marks « an additional step towards integrating the Crown Prince into the army’s machinery, placing him at the heart of the armed forces, one of the pillars of the monarchy. » Even though « the head of the army remains the king, » this decision comes in a context where « the sovereign’s health, security rivalries, and the Crown Prince’s projection create an atmosphere of the end of a reign. » However, Brouksy avoids calling it a transition: « the king remains the alpha and omega of power in Morocco. »
Brouksy insists that in Morocco, « no strategic political decision is made without the king being informed and approving it. » Power is not truly institutionalized; thus, it « is embodied in the person of the king, I would even say the king’s body. » Hence the importance of the historical and religious narratives mobilized by the monarchy, which presents itself as « a direct descendant of the Prophet » or as the heir of the « liberator » Mohammed V. The academic notably debunks « the fiction » that Mohammed V protected Moroccan Jews under Vichy, recalling that anti-Jewish decrees were indeed signed.
Western Sahara and Social Fractures: Between Diplomatic Successes and Internal Tensions
Omar Brouksy then recalls that Western Sahara constitutes one of the kingdom’s « three red lines, » along with the monarchy and Islam. For him, the monarchy « is even staking its existence on this conflict. » He emphasizes that this issue goes beyond the mere confrontation with Algeria but also acknowledges Rabat’s diplomatic advances: « two major powers that are members of the Security Council recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. » Despite persistent regional tensions, he believes that « the diplomatic victory is now rather on the Moroccan side. »
Brouksy describes a Morocco constantly exposed to « the unexpected, » citing youth protests. According to him, « Morocco’s real problem is one of social inequalities […] which has become structural. » He attributes this situation to an old economic policy favoring « economic champions » and certain regions such as Casablanca, Rabat, or Tangiers, « to the detriment of what is called the other Morocco. » The lack of investment in « public education and youth training » has fueled unemployment and marginalization. Even though « the king is trying to draw attention » to these difficulties, Brouksy believes it is now « very difficult to challenge a policy that has been pursued for several decades. »
Source : Radio France
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