Morocco

Present-day Morocco has been part of various empires over the course of its history. Morocco was a French protectorate, known as French Morocco, from 1912 until its independence in 1956. Morocco’s main population groups are the Arab and Imazighen (Berber) people. Despite most Moroccans’ mixed ethnic heritage, there are divisions between Arabs and Imazighen, where the marginalisation of the latter dates to the Arabization of North Africa in the 7th century. Reforms in the early 2000s, which guaranteed land and linguistic rights to the Imazighen people, were a step toward reducing, but not eliminating, this discrimination.  

Most people in Morocco are Sunni Muslim, and the monarchy’s authority derives from the claim that the monarch is a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. A central cleavage in the country is the line between Islamists and secularists. Occasional physical violence has broken out between these two sides despite the fact that they generally cooperate in politics.

In terms of Gender Equality, Morocco has made notable progress in the last two decades, moving from a low-range to a mid-range performer. However, the influence of conservative religious attitudes in government has meant that Morocco has failed to translate gender equity laws into social practice, and restrictions on LGBTQIA+ rights have yet to be repealed. Gender inequalities are reflected in the prevalence of gender-based violence, male dominance in financial decision making, and underrepresentation of women in elected office.

The Moroccan people, alongside civil society organizations, have long called for institutional reform in the country. The Equity and Reconciliation Commission was established in 2004 to redress human rights violations committed since independence until 1999, including the ‘Years of Lead’—a period of state-sponsored violence directed toward dissidents. The Commission recommended institutional reforms, which were not implemented. Widespread demands for structural changes re-emerged in the Arab Spring of 2011 with the “February 20” movement. Protestors demanded limitations on the king’s powers and the right for the public to elect the parliament. However, security forces were able to control the protests, as well as the socioeconomically-driven protests in 2016. Repressive tactics continue in Morocco, such as restricted freedom of speech and intimidation of journalists, as a way to control the public space.

Another main driver of Moroccan politics is the independence movement in Western Sahara, the Polisario Front. The conflict with the Polisario Front has strained relations with Algeria, which supports the movement, and Morocco has made recognition of its sovereignty over the territory its most important foreign policy consideration.

Going forward, it will be important to watch Rights, especially because the state continues to censor speech and expression as well as limit sexual rights. Prospects for Moroccan democratisation lie with the devolution of powers, something that continues to be at the heart of calls for reform.