The Institute of Historical Research changes tenants
HM King Mohammed VI appointed a number of Government officials at the Council of Ministers meeting held in Rabat on Friday October 18, 2024. The list includes some thirty public officials, including the Director of the Royal Institute for Research into the History of Morocco (see Economist issue # 6870, October 21, 2024).
Historian Mohamed Kenbib has been replaced by one of his younger colleagues, Rahal Boubrik. Both men are historians and university professors in Rabat. The former is a specialist in contemporary history, which is broadly limited to the 19th and 20th centuries, while the latter specializes in Western Saharan societies, notably with his book published in 2023 on “La question du Sahara, aux origines d’une invention coloniale 1884-1975” (“The Sahara question, the origins of a colonial invention 1884-1975”). The first director of the “national scientific research institution” was also historian Mohammed El Qabli.
Created in November 2006, the Institute was initially attached to the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs, before being transferred to the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco in February 2021. This Institute became one of the four bodies of the Academy, alongside the Instance académique supérieure de traduction (Higher academic institution for translation).
In principle, the director of the Royal Institute for Research into the History of Morocco has a 4-year renewable term of office. Mohamed Kenbib did not complete his term, as he only remained in the post for around three years and 4 months. His successor, Rahal Boubrik, is taking over the reins of this “strategic” institution, since appointment to this position is the responsibility of the Sovereign, in accordance with Organic Law number 02-12 on appointment to senior positions.
In principle, Rahal Boubrik’s mandate lasts until 2028, i.e. four years to fulfill the Institute’s missions: “to develop and disseminate historical knowledge, consolidate archives, produce publications aimed at children, young people, and Moroccans around the world…”.
History is therefore a very serious and decisive matter for “ anchoring Moroccan identity and strengthening collective memory”, in the words of the 2021 law reorganizing the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco. There is a growing public interest in the facts of the past.
A very serious business
“There is a social demand for history”, as historian Mohamed Kenbib put it after his first media appearance (see L’Economiste n°6085, September 3, 2021). The specialized monthly magazine Zaman or programs such as “Tarikh Al Maghrib” on Medi1 Radio, or podcasts such as “Radio Maarif” are a clue. Added to this is one of the biggest TV audiences ever to confirm this social craze. Broadcast on July 1, 2024 on the Al Oula TV channel, the documentary entitled “Le rayonnement d’un Royaume” ( The influence of a Kingdom), devoted to the historic relationship between Rabat and Djibouti, was watched by 4.3 million viewers, representing a viewership share of 14.5% (see L’Economiste issue # 6834 of August 28, 2024). Another project announced was the creation of a House of Moroccan History. This was one of the recommendations of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) in the name of the duty to remember. Much is therefore expected of the Royal Institute for Research into the History of Morocco. Unless its new director changes his priorities.
Faiçal FAQUIHI
