By RFIPalled on 30-07-2018Modified on 30-07-2018 at 16:33

A symbolic place for Mohammed VI and his traditional throne speech. This Sunday, the sovereign has indeed spoken from the city of Al Hoceima in northern Morocco. A choice that is not trivial since the city was the epicenter of a protest movement in 2016 and 2017 that had highlighted regional inequalities.

The king wanted, no doubt, to give a symbolic value to his speech by recording it for national television in Al Hoceima, capital of the Rif, in the north of the country. Although the Rif crisis does not appear directly in this royal discourse, it was indirectly there in these remarks which mainly concerned the socio-economic questions of the country.

Morocco is experiencing several crises in different regions. Government activity is slow and blocked by bureaucracy and widespread corruption as poverty and inequality increase. Morocco has been ranked 123rd out of 188 countries in terms of human development.

Mohammed VI called on the government to take urgent social measures in the face of social inequality. He also urged him to undertake a comprehensive and profound restructuring, particularly in the areas of health and education. " Something continues to fail us in social matters, " he said.

The Moroccan ruler has also criticized political parties that he says are not doing their job. For their part, these parties reproach the king for making all the decisions come back to him.

Classically, the Moroccan king announces an amnesty for the Moroccan prisoners on the occasion of the festival of the throne. An official statement announced Sunday that more than 1,200 graces were granted to detainees, without further details.

    On the same subject

    Morocco: chief executive still struggling to reshuffle his government

    South Africa and Morocco warm their relations

    AU-EU summit: what are the challenges for Morocco?

    Blackmail to the King of Morocco: French justice validates key registrations

    comments

    Republish this content

    You are free to republish this article for free on your website. We ask you to follow these Basic Rules

    The Partner undertakes not to infringe the moral rights of journalists. As such, the Content must be reproduced and represented by the Partner as made available by RFI, without modifications, cuts, additions, incrustations, alterations, reductions or insertions

    Add this article to your website by copying the code below.

    Copy to clipboard