Research Library: Morocco

Last Updated Sep 29, 2009

Country Information

Government

• Morocco is a long-standing constitutional monarchy. The king is the head of state and retains ultimate control of the government. The king appoints the Prime Minister after legislative elections. The bicameral Parliament consists of the upper house, the Chamber of Counselors, with 270 seats indirectly elected to serve a nine-year term and the lower house, the Chamber of Representatives, with 325 seats serving a five-year term. Of the 325 seats, 295 are by multi-seat constituencies. 30 of the seats are held by women selected from a national list.
• King Mohammed VI has been king since 30 July 1999, succeeding his late father King Hassan. Abbas El Fassi succeeded Driss Jettou to become Prime Minister in September 2007. Istiqlal (Independence) Party (PI) holds the majority of seats in both houses.

Political Stability

• From 1912 to 1956, Morocco was a French protectorate. King Sultan Mohammed became the first king after independence. The current king succeeded his father and was dubbed the "modernizer" and "guardian of the poor". Among other reforms, he created the Equity and Reconciliation Commission of 2006, which investigated human rights violations of the king's father and grandfather.
• The last Parliament elections were held in September 2007 and were considered to be largely free and fair. Beginning with a series of simultaneous suicide bombing in 2003, there has been increased activity by extremist groups. In April 2007, a series of suicide bomb attacks occurred in central Casablanca. The government has responded with increased, yet controversial, anti-terror legislation. Another issue is the Western Sahara territory, occupied by Morocco. Although both the government and independence groups want the area to move toward autonomy, they have yet to agree about how to proceed.

Current Government Policies

• With former Prime Minister Jettou, King Mohammed VI initiated several reforms aimed at expanding employment opportunities, economic development, an improved education sector, and increased housing availability. These objectives have been continued with current Prime Minister El Fassi. Among his social, political, and economic reforms, the king also took steps to increase rights for women through the Mudawana law of 2003. There is also a focus on the modernization of infrastructure across Morocco, and Morocco also has increased support and incentives for national businesses as well as significant investment in the tourism and services industries.

International Reputation

• Morocco has territory disputes with Spain over Spanish controlled islands among Moroccan territory. In addition, due to the dispute over the Western Sahara, relations with Algeria have been strained. Morocco is considered a moderate Arab state and a member of the Arab League and Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). It has supported increased peace efforts in the Middle East, and has made efforts at reaching a diplomatic relationship with Israel. Morocco has relatively close relations with the U.S., due in large part to their support for the U.S.-led "war on terror." Morocco is the only internationally recognized country on the continent of Africa, not in the African Union.

Economics

• Morocco has trade agreements with both the U.S. and China. The U.S. free trade agreement with Morocco, which began 2006, will reduce tariffs by 95% by 2015. The Moroccan economy is largely dependent on agriculture, which puts it at risk for seasonal fluctuations caused by varying amounts of rainfall. Morocco is concerned with restraining government spending, promoting privatization of businesses and programs, and modernizing the economy.
• Over the past few years, Morocco enjoyed macroeconomic stability and a relatively low inflation rate. However, Morocco has long relied on agriculture, a vulnerable sector, for the source of much of its employment. In recent years, unemployment has risen, especially in more urban areas. Increased modernization and liberalization and less dependence on the agricultural sector is needed in order to foster employment opportunities.

Foreign Aid

• Morocco is a net recipient of official development assistance. For more information see the OECD Aid at a Glance chart.

Politically-Active Ethnic Groups
Data provided by the Minorities at Risk Project of the Center for International Development and Conflict Management at the University of Maryland

• Berbers
• Saharawis

Statistics
Click on statistic name for source information.

Web Resources

• Agence Maghreb Arabe Presse
  The official news agency for the government of Morocco. (Available in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese)
  Added or modified on Sep 30, 2009
• Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco
  The official website for the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco. (In English)
  Added or modified on Sep 30, 2009
• Kingdom of Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
  Information on Morocco's foreign policy and foreign relations. Currently available in Arabic and French. English version will be available soon.
  Added or modified on Sep 30, 2009
• Kingdom of Morocco Official Page
  The official website of the Kingdom of Morocco. Provides information on the government and Moroccan leaders.
  Added or modified on Sep 30, 2009
• Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Morocco to the UN
  Information regarding Morocco's involvement with the UN and UN members. The site is currently under construction and will be available soon.
  Added or modified on Sep 30, 2009
• UN Refugee Agency Morocco
  Information on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) involvement in Morocco and surrounding countries.
  Added or modified on Sep 30, 2009