A recent report published by the French newspaper Le Monde has sparked heated debate after it described Morocco’s current political climate as edging toward the “end of King Mohammed VI’s reign.” The piece, which highlighted the monarch’s reduced public appearances and the growing influence of his inner circle, quickly ignited reactions across Moroccan, Arab, and international media. Yet the question remains: does this narrative reflect Morocco’s political reality, or is it another Western projection shaped by long-standing assumptions about Arab monarchies?
Historical and Political Context
King Mohammed VI ascended the throne in 1999, succeeding the late King Hassan II during a sensitive transitional moment. Over the past quarter-century, he has crafted a somewhat different image of monarchy, notably through social and constitutional reforms, including the landmark 2011 Constitution born out of the Arab Spring. Against this background, the notion of an “end of rule” without official evidence seems more like a political narrative designed to provoke than an accurate reflection of institutional dynamics.
The Moroccan State in Practice
On the ground, Morocco shows no signs of political vacuum. The monarchy continues to perform its central functions: delivering annual speeches, launching major development projects, and leading sensitive diplomatic initiatives—especially on the Sahara issue and relations with Europe and Africa. Economically, Morocco has maintained its trajectory of modernization: the Tanger Med port has become one of the Mediterranean’s busiest, the Ouarzazate solar plant is among the largest in the world, and the Al Boraq high-speed train symbolizes the country’s infrastructure ambitions. These achievements suggest continuity, not collapse.
French Narratives and Their Context
French media have historically engaged with Morocco through a double lens: as both a strategic partner in counterterrorism and migration, and as a “traditional monarchy” governed by opaque dynamics. In this framework, any reduced visibility of the King is quickly transformed into “political retreat” or “end of an era.” This perspective, however, often lacks a nuanced understanding of Morocco’s internal political order, where the monarchy plays both symbolic and institutional roles intertwined with national identity and governance.
Moroccan Media Responses
Local press outlets reacted strongly to Le Monde’s framing. Al Ahdath Al Maghribia dismissed the claims as “politicized and lacking in-depth understanding of Morocco’s monarchy,” pointing out that King Mohammed VI had recently addressed the nation and announced new social and economic programs—hardly signs of absence. Hespress went further, arguing that such articles reflect “an old orientalist bias” in French journalism, where Morocco is judged through superficial lenses of visibility rather than institutional substance.
The Arab Media Perspective
Across the Arab world, leading newspapers such as Asharq Al-Awsat and Al-Quds Al-Arabi offered mixed readings. Some saw Le Monde’s analysis as recycling familiar Western narratives about Arab monarchies, while others acknowledged that prolonged absences from public events inevitably raise questions about decision-making mechanisms in Rabat. Still, most Arab commentary emphasized Morocco’s stability and the enduring strength of its constitutional institutions.
International Reactions
Globally, reactions varied. The Financial Times linked the French reports to the ongoing diplomatic rift between Paris and Rabat, suggesting that French media are weaponizing political discourse amid disputes over Sahara and Morocco’s growing ties with Washington and Madrid. Spain’s El País called the French coverage “exaggerated,” noting Morocco’s expanding investments and regional influence. American outlets, by contrast, adopted a more cautious tone, stressing that the Moroccan monarchy remains the linchpin of stability in North Africa.
Between Media Narratives and Political Realities
The striking feature of the French narrative is its reliance on symbolic cues—photos, rumors, and public appearances—rather than institutional indicators. Yet the Moroccan monarchy continues to function: launching megaprojects, steering diplomacy, and embodying national unity.
Society and Legitimacy
What foreign coverage often overlooks is the monarchy’s societal legitimacy. Despite periodic social unrest and sectoral protests, Mohammed VI still enjoys deep symbolic authority as “Commander of the Faithful” and as guarantor of national unity, particularly around the Sahara question. In the absence of clear institutional alternatives, this legitimacy remains a decisive factor against any scenario of “political vacuum.”
Ultimately, tracing the responses across Moroccan, Arab, and international media reveals a clear divide: France’s provocative narrative versus Morocco’s lived reality. For now, the monarchy continues to serve as the backbone of the state, while the media storm underscores the fragile balance between geopolitical interests and domestic sovereignty.
Leave a Reply