Simone Lawson
The Maghreb, an Arabic term for the region west of the ancient Umayyad capital of Damascus, includes the countries of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. Morocco, officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco, is a constitutional monarchy with a monarch who is the head of state and exercises authority in accordance with the constitution. The current king, Mohammed VI, ascended the throne in 1999 and holds substantial discretionary powers, including control over the armed forces, judiciary, and foreign policy. While the king's powers were scaled back following the 2011 Moroccan constitutional referendum, he remains a key figure in the country's political and social landscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Morocco |
| Type of Monarchy | Constitutional Monarchy |
| Sovereign | King Mohammed VI |
| Powers | Disbanding parliament, giving royal consent to legislation |
| Capital | Rabat |
| Official Language | Arabic |
| Region | North Africa, Maghreb |
| Border Disputes | Algeria, over Western Sahara |
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What You'll Learn
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy
The constitution and law provide for freedom of expression, association, and religion, although there are some restrictions. Criticism of Islam, the monarchy, or the government's positions on territorial integrity is criminalised and can result in fines or prison time. The government has also restricted the freedom of association by prohibiting or failing to recognise certain political opposition groups.
Morocco's constitution grants substantial discretionary powers to the sovereign, similar to other constitutional monarchies such as Liechtenstein, Monaco, Jordan, and Kuwait. The king of Morocco is formally the chief of the military and presides over the Council of Ministers. He shares executive authority with the head of government (prime minister). The constitution allows the king to terminate the tenure of any minister and, after consultation with the heads of the higher and lower assemblies, to dissolve parliament, suspend the constitution, call for new elections, or rule by decree. However, this has only been exercised once, in 1965.
Morocco's Arabic name, "Al-Mamlaka-al-Maghribiya", translates to "The Western Kingdom", reflecting its position as the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. The country administers 12 regions, including major cities such as Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Tangier.
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King Mohammed VI
Morocco is the Maghreb country that is a constitutional monarchy. Mohammed VI has been the King of Morocco since 1999. He inherited the throne from his father, King Hassan II, who ruled Morocco for 38 years. Mohammed VI is known for his vast business holdings across several sectors in Morocco, with his net worth estimated to be between US$2.1 billion and over US$5.2 billion. Forbes recognised him as the richest king in Africa and the fifth wealthiest monarch globally in 2015.
Mohammed VI has a PhD in law and has held several military positions, including Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Moroccan Army. He has also prioritised foreign relations with African countries and diversified trade links with non-Western countries such as China and Russia. Mohammed VI has enacted several reforms, including granting more rights to women and addressing democratic demands. However, human rights violations and restrictions on freedom of expression regarding the monarchy persist in Morocco.
Under Mohammed VI's rule, Morocco has developed partnerships with the Gulf Cooperation Council and non-traditional powers like China and Russia. The country has also mediated in international conflicts and remained neutral in the Qatar diplomatic crisis. In 2020, Morocco restored diplomatic relations with Israel, with US recognition of its sovereignty over Western Sahara. Mohammed VI has promoted sports in the country, honouring the national football team after their performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Criticism or opposition to the king is punishable by prison, and Morocco has faced ongoing conflicts regarding Western Sahara. Mohammed VI has responded to democratic reform demands by enacting constitutional changes and granting more rights to women. However, allegations of corruption and human rights violations persist.
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North African countries
The Maghreb, or "The place where the sun sets" in Arabic, refers to a group of North African countries, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania. Medieval Muslim historians and geographers divided the Maghreb region into three areas: al-Maghrib al-Adna (the near Maghrib; also known as Ifriqiya), al-Maghrib al-Awsat (the middle Maghrib), and al-Maghrib al-Aqsa (the far Maghrib).
Morocco, one of the countries in the Maghreb, is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. On June 17, 2001, King Mohamed VI made changes to the country's constitution, transforming it into a constitutional monarchy. The country's full Arabic name, "Al-Mamlaka-al-Maghribiya", translates to "The Western Kingdom."
Jordan, a key ally of the United States and the United Kingdom, is also a constitutional monarchy with a king, currently Abdullah II, and a prime minister. The king holds wide executive and legislative powers, including the ability to appoint and dismiss judges, approve amendments to the constitution, declare war, and act as the supreme leader of the armed forces. Jordan is one of the safest Arab countries in the Middle East and has accepted a significant number of refugees from surrounding conflicts.
Constitutional monarchies can be found worldwide, including in Western Europe (the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and Sweden), Asia (Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia), and the Middle East (Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain). These countries range in terms of the level of discretionary powers granted to the sovereign, with some monarchs having substantial powers, while others retain a more ceremonial role.
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Arabic term
The Maghreb region, or the Arab Maghreb, is a geographic and cultural region in North Africa that includes Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania. The term "Maghreb" is derived from the Arabic word "maġrib" (مغرب), which means "west" or "sunset." Being a region closely associated with the Arabic language and culture, it is only natural that the only constitutional monarchy in the Maghreb region has close ties with the Arabic term and its meaning.
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a constitutional monarchy with a democratically elected parliament. The country's name, Morocco, is derived from the Arabic word "Maghrib," which means "the west." This name is closely related to the region's name, the Maghreb, which, as mentioned earlier, is also derived from the same Arabic root.
The Arabic term "maġrib" has a rich history and cultural significance. In addition to its literal meaning of "west," it also carries a symbolic connotation of sunset and the end of the day. This symbolism is reflected in the country's flag, which features a red star within a green pentagon against a red background. The red represents the color of the sunset, while the star symbolizes the light and unity of the Moroccan people.
The Kingdom of Morocco has a long and illustrious history. Various civilizations and cultures have influenced the country over the centuries, including the Berbers, Arabs, Andalusians, and Europeans. The Arabic language and culture have had a profound impact on Morocco, and this is evident in the country's name, its flag, and its rich cultural heritage.
The constitutional monarchy in Morocco provides an interesting contrast to the other political systems in the Maghreb region. While the region is known for its diverse range of governments, Morocco's system stands out for its combination of traditional monarchy and modern democratic principles. The Arabic term "maġrib" thus takes on a unique significance in this context, representing not only a geographic direction but also a political system that blends the traditional and the modern.
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Democratic reforms
Morocco, officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco, is the only country in the Maghreb with a constitutional monarchy. Located in the Maghreb area of North Africa, Morocco has rugged mountains and large sections of desert. It shares coastlines with the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
Morocco is officially a parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy, with a multi-party system. The country is ruled by a king who has a lot of executive and legislative powers, particularly over religious matters, foreign policy, and the military. The Moroccan Constitution grants the king extensive powers; as a direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed, he is both the secular and religious political leader, or the "Commander of the Faithful". The king is also the head of the country's armed forces and is in charge of the Council of Ministers.
Despite these reforms, Morocco has been described as an "authoritarian state" where the monarchy wields significant political and economic influence. The country's highest court, the Supreme Court, has its judges appointed by the King, and the country is divided into regions, prefectures, and provinces, which are governed by individuals appointed by the monarch. However, there is an ongoing process to develop greater judicial independence and impartiality.
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Frequently asked questions
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament.
A constitutional monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the sovereign exercises authority in accordance with a written or unwritten constitution. The monarch has limited powers and the country is considered a liberal democracy.
Yes, there are several other constitutional monarchies in the world, including the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Japan, and Thailand.
