Project on Middle East Democracy

Morocco

Fundamental information for understanding the state of political reform in Morocco

Prospects for Political Reform

» Morocco Update: The Latest

[Aug 5 9:32am EST]


“The theory is good, but perhaps 20% is useful. The programs are a bit pre-formatted.” This is quote from a Moroccan politician pretty much sums up the dark side democracy assistance these days. Check out Anna Khakee’s new piece for FRIDE for the full assessment of democracy assistance programs in Morocco. Also, here is another critical look by Khakee of the EU approach to reforming the Moroccan Justice system.


[May 20 3:49pm EST]


I’ve been on a different planet for the past few months but I’m back with some great links on patronage and politics (these two words should always go together in Morocco-and most countries, for that matter). Check out Si Maati’s latest piece on the USFP as well as a new report by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy assessing opportunities for engaging political actors for reform in Egypt, Morocco and Iran. Transparency International has a bland yet informative report on good governance in the Middle East. And, if you are thinking of running a country club bar through a made-up NGO receiving local government funds, think again! The Moroccan Cour des Comptes is on your trail!


[Feb 8 2:07pm EST]


The clamor over the closure of Le Journal continues amidst an environment in which the parameters of free speech within the kingdom seem to be shrinking daily. Just days after Le Journal’s offices were shut down, a blogger was arrested for organizing a bloggers’ strike. All of this on the heels of a critical Human Rights Watch report that the Moroccan government has been handicapped to rebut.

It is telling that the cover story of Le Journal’s final issue focused on the failure of Moroccan diplomacy to foresee the fallout over the public diplomacy debacle that was the Aminatou Haidar Affair. It concluded that Morocco’s expensive image management could not substitute for diplomacy; that nominal improvements in women’s rights could no longer convince Hillary Clinton to overlook human rights violations in the Western Sahara or mounting attacks against the independent press.

This latest chain of events puts a dent in Morocco’s reputation on the world stage, stalling the momentum of Morocco’s most important foreign policy objective (its autonomy plan for the Western Sahara). As one analyst points out, these mounting cases of repression embolden Morocco’s main opponents—the Algeria-backed POLISARIO separatist movement.

The fact that Moroccan officials do not recognize that safeguarding gains made in the most basic human rights—freedom of expression and organization—is in their national interest is testament to the growing insecurity and knee-jerk repressive comportment of the makhzen. A new and invigorated image management campaign should be predicated on a commitment to human rights, not constructing Potemkin villages.


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James Liddell, Morocco editor
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» From The POMED Wire

Morocco: Five Deaths In Moroccan Town During Unrest, Protests Mostly Peaceful

[Feb 23] Five bodies have been found in the charred remains of a bank that was burned down when anti-government protesters began looting and burning buildings on…

Morocco: Protests Planned For Sunday

[Feb 18] Facebook activists in Morocco, mostly young people in their 20s, are calling for protests across the country on Sunday to “demand constitutional reform and proper…

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The State of Political Reform

Political Parties and Participation

Human Rights

Elections

Press Freedom

Political Institutions

U.S. Democracy Promotion Policy

Legislation

For an overview of U.S. legislation relating to political reform in Morocco, see the Congressional Policy and Foreign Assistance section of the Morocco backgrounder

H.R. 2764 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 (Summary | Full Text | POMED Analysis)

H.R. 2601 [109th]: Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007
(Summary | Full Text)

Congressional Hearings

The Committee to Protect Journalists and Honorary Co-Hosts Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), Co-Chairs, Congressional Caucus for Freedom of the Press hosted a presentation and discussion by journalist Aboubakr Jamai (POMED Summary)

Assistance Programs


Public Statements

Morocco: Incoherent Institutions and Systems

Writing at bitterlemons-international.org, Anouar Boukhars argues that Morocco and other Arab nations, “…purposefully perpetuate the political incongruence and economic ‘dissonance’ that is at the root of their failure…”. According to Boukhars, this “incongruence” has manifested itself in the Algerian and Moroccan positions regarding the Western Sahara. “Algeria’s policy has been stuck in perpetual tension between the military and the civilian branches of the government…”, with the civilian branch supporting compromise with Morocco and the military supporting Western Sahara’s claims of independence.  Even Algeria’s president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, has changed positions on the issue in recent years. Morocco itself has also sent mixed messages regarding the territory, with Boukhars noting, “One historical figure in the region, who strongly supports the ‘Moroccaness” of Western Sahara, bluntly criticized what he termed the government’s ‘mischievous policy.’  Such actions, he said, only heighten mistrust of Morocco’s intentions and, unfortunately, undermine its credible autonomy proposal.” 

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Remarks before meeting with Morocco Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri, 4/09/09: “Well, it’s wonderful to welcome Minister Fihri here today on behalf of Morocco. We are so committed to our relationship and have very high regard for the extraordinary progress that has taken place in Morocco over the last years, and we look forward to deepening and strengthening our relationship.”

U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Thomas Riley, Statement on 2007 Human Rights Report, 3/11/08: “The U.S. Government vigorously promotes the cause of human rights as a core component of our foreign policy.  This is based on a belief that a democratic system that includes free and fair elections; accountable and representative government institutions; and vibrant, independent civil society, political parties, NGOS, and free media, is the best guarantor of human rights.  In Morocco, we see progress and a will to promote democratic change and respect for human rights, but Morocco still faces challenges in traveling the path of reform.”

Morocco took a courageous step in promoting electoral transparency by allowing domestic and international observation of the 2007 parliamentary elections.  In the United Nations and internationally, Morocco is recognized for its promotion of respect for human rights.”

State Department Statement Congratulating Morocco for Free and Fare Elections, 9/10/07:  “Reports indicate the elections met international standards. We see the elections as another step forward for Morocco and we support the Moroccan people as they build a more democratic, representative government.”

Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes, Press Conference at Sidi Moumen Sports Complex in Casablanca, Morocco, 6/04/06: Comments on Morocco’s progresss in reforms and the strength of the U.S.-Morocco relationship. “Morocco has been at the forefront of a number of democratic reforms in the region. Whether it be from the reforms that the King is implementing, to reforms in granting greater rights for women, so Morocco I think has a real leadership role to play throughout the Arab and wider Islamic world. Morocco and my country also have a very special partnership. And as I just reminded the young women here, Morocco was the very first country to recognize my country. So I am happy to be here. And to celebrate our long friendship as we continue to learn from each other.”

Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), Speaking at an Event Marking the Release of Prisoners ofthe Western Sahara Conflict in Tetouan, Morocco, 8/19/05: ”Morocco is a model of reform in the region. The passage last year of the new family code that protects the rights of women was not just a landmark event for Morocco, but a shining example of government-led reform supported by civil society for all countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. The United States looks to Morocco as a reform leader in the region. Reform will secure longterm stability and prosperity in the region and remains a priority for the United States and all of the members of the G-8.”

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Other Reports and Publications

Basic Information

 Map of Morocco

Official Name: The Kingdom of Morocco

Government: Constitutional Monarchy with Bicameral Legislature (325 seats, lower house; 270 seats, upper house)

Population: 34 million (2008), 99% Arab-Berber Muslim

GDP per capita: $2360

More Basic Info »

Constitution: Morocco Constitution

Political Parties and Organizations

Domestic Media

Human and Civil Rights Organizations

Blogs