Reforms in Morocco: A model of gradual transformation
The tripartite organization of the Football World Cup in 2030 (Spain-Portugal-Morocco) is no accident. The relationships between these three countries go back a long way, with strong, long-standing common ties to move forward. At least, this is what Minister in charge of Budget, Fouzi Lekjaâ, hinted at in his speech on the history of reforms in Morocco, on Monday before the Annual Meetings, in the company of the Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government.
According to Fouzi Lekjaâ, relations between Europe and Africa, and especially between Andalusia and the great Sahara, are not new. These relationships have been rooted in Moroccan identity for centuries. Indeed, Morocco’s role as a bridge between the global North and the global South has been a constant feature of Moroccan policy since the time of Youssef Ibn Tachfine.
Fouzi Lekjaâ’s speech touched on the history of reform in Morocco. This is an original approach to an audience made up of international finance giants, used to juggling concepts such as debt, budget deficits, and inclusive growth. The originality of this intervention is to shed light on the Moroccan identity, which many of them are unfamiliar with, and which explains the country’s calling to play avant-garde roles in bringing the two shores of the Mediterranean closer together. With this in mind, the Minister in charge of Budget showed that Rabat has been carrying out reforms for decades, with a modus operandi that consists in launching projects. And, as soon as these reach maturity and produce results, people move on to a new generation of reforms. This is how Morocco has always operated. A kind of model of gradual transformation of society over a long period. The idea is to set a course that will accelerate the reforms. A number of projects are currently underway, but it is out of the question to leave fragile social categories behind. Moreover, reform is an ongoing process that takes into account both internal developments and the international situation.
According to Fouzi Lekjaâ, Morocco’s presence is embodied by the accelerating transformations it has witnessed over more than two decades, particularly since the beginning of King Mohammed VI’s reign. These transformations are underpinned by a comprehensive royal project aimed at modernizing the country at various levels, drawing inspiration from its roots while adapting to the present day.
Mohamed CHAOUI
