King Mohammed VI, Announces Reforms for Morocco
King Mohammed VI (from cnn.com)
In contrast to neighboring countries which have seen violent response to protest, the Moroccan king has responded to the demonstrations of February 20 with an announcement of further democratic and constitutional reforms.
In a rare television appearance on Wednesday, King Mohamed VI said the reforms would include a prime minister elected from the party that wins the most seats in parliament.
The prime minister will “be the head of an effective executive branch, who is fully responsible for government, civil service and the implementation of the government’s agenda,” the king said.
Reforms will also promote human rights and gender equality, and improve the economic, social and cultural aspects, according to the king.
The Pakistan Observer recently spoke with the Morocco Ambassador about other reforms the King has planned which will affect youth, who have been the main catalysts for protest across the region:
Peaceful processions have always taken place in Morocco. This is an integral part of the democratic system. Morocco pursues political pluralism. The system fully guarantees freedom of expression. King Mohammed VI is a reforming statesman who focuses his attention on social stability and democratic reform. He has been keen to introduce reform in every walk of life since he ascended the throne. Only recently, he introduced Economic and Social Council…the Council’s terms of reference is to propose efficient solutions to the main problems relating to vocational and technical training, the skills needed on the job market and the requirements of sector-specific strategies and major projects. The ultimate objective is to ensure a dignified life for all Moroccans particularly the underprivileged and to foster the kind of comprehensive development that creates jobs especially for young people who are the main focus of development policies.
The King’s announcement has drawn praise from abroad and within the country, but Moroccans are waiting to see what these reforms might mean, AFP writes:
Political parties said his address late Wednesday pledging reform was historic and opened the way for a modern Morocco that could be an example to the Arab world, being shaken up by a pro-democracy revolt.
Moroccan Association of Human Rights president Khadija Ryadi said: “We prefer to wait for the proposals of the commission, even though we think that certain points of the royal speech are important and new.”
“One must not forget we want a new constitution and not a revised text,” she said.
A commission will be tasked with working on constitutional revisions and we will have to wait until June to see what proposals are made and voted on.
