King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Friday urged faster reforms to generate employment for young people, enhance public services, and reduce regional disparities, particularly in mountain and oasis areas.
The King made the appeal in a speech opening the new parliamentary session, a week after large youth-led demonstrations calling for better healthcare, education, and an end to corruption.
Morocco operates as a constitutional monarchy, where the King defines the main policy directions, which are then carried out by an elected government.
Although he did not directly address the protesters, King Mohammed VI emphasised that national flagship projects and social programmes should work in harmony rather than in competition.
He called for “a faster implementation pace and stronger impacts from the next generation of local development programmes,” referring to plans he had tasked the government to draft in July. Priority areas, he said, should include job creation for young people and “tangible progress in education and health,” as well as local rehabilitation initiatives.
Official figures show Morocco’s unemployment rate stands at 12.8%, while youth unemployment has reached 35.8% and 19% among graduates.
The King highlighted the need for special attention to “the most fragile areas,” particularly mountainous regions.
Although poverty in Morocco has fallen from 11.9% in 2014 to 6.8% in 2024, mountain and oasis regions continue to record above-average poverty rates, according to national statistics.
The country’s population, industrial and financial centres, and much of its critical infrastructure remain concentrated in the northwest, leaving other regions dependent on agriculture, fishing, and tourism.
Thousands gathered along the avenue leading to parliament to greet King Mohammed VI, who appeared in traditional attire, accompanied by his brother and his son, Crown Prince Moulay Hassan.
In contrast, the same square in front of parliament saw only a small demonstration on Thursday night, organised by Morocco’s Generation Z movement — a decentralised, leaderless group known as GenZ 212.
The group announced on its Discord server that it would suspend protests on Friday out of respect for the King.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks...
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held high-level talks in Seoul aimed at expanding South Korean investment, industrial cooperation and partnershi...
From new Asia-Europe trade routes to investment, energy and security cooperation, the Organization of Turkic States has grown far beyond its origin...
U.S. Central Command said 101 commercial vessels have been redirected in the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices rose more than three per cent amid fresh regional attacks and supply concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying Tehran will not negotiate until its conditions are met.
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said on Tuesday. Russia accused Denmark of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” near its ship, and said it was investigating the incident.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is outlining the EU's priorities in her annual State of the Union address, covering security, support for Ukraine, trade with China, migration, climate and artificial intelligence.
Pakistan has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia at the United Nations, warning that escalating fighting in Yemen and increased activity around the Bab al-Mandab Strait threaten regional stability, global shipping and energy security.
Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty of war crimes, including murder, torture, cruel treatment and arbitrary detention.
Wednesday's session of the 24th Arab Media Summit in Dubai has shifted the discussion towards a central question for modern media: how can regional news organisations tell their own stories while reaching audiences far beyond their borders?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was carrying out tests on a new weapon to intercept drones and had recorded a successful hit overnight.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is outlining the EU's priorities in her annual State of the Union address, covering security, support for Ukraine, trade with China, migration, climate and artificial intelligence.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment