In a reflection on Morocco’s 25-year journey under the reign of King Mohammed VI, the Spanish Newspaper El País paints a picture of transformation and progress.
Spain’s leading daily, El País, has published an article commemorating the 25th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s accession to the throne, highlighting the significant changes that Morocco has gone through under his reign.
Entitled “Morocco under Mohammed VI: 25 years of a truncated transition,” the article acknowledges the modernisation of the country’s infrastructure and its diplomatic expansion. According to El País, “the transformation in 25 years is obvious. The country is a different country… the status of women, cultural modernity…”.
Mehdi Qotbi, director of the National Museums Foundation, is quoted in the article as saying that Morocco has made substantial progress. “It would be stupid to say that everything is fine, but we have to admit that things have improved. It’s like night and day,” says Qotbi, comparing the situation today with that of his modest childhood in Rabat.
The Spanish newspaper also highlights major infrastructure projects such as the Al Boraq high-speed train, linking
Tangiers and Casablanca, and the Tangiers Med port, which has become the Mediterranean’s leading container terminal.
El País reports that Morocco has become the leading exporter of vehicles to the European Union, surpassing Japan, with over half a million units exported last year.
The article acknowledges the initial hopes for change and social reforms, such as the reform of the Family Code, which promoted women’s rights 20 years ago, and the investigation into the years of darkness under King Hassan II through the Equity and Reconciliation Commission.
El País also notes the strengthening of Morocco’s international position, particularly its relations with the United States. The American recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020 and the normalisation of relations with Israel are seen as favourable developments for the kingdom.
The article mentions Spain’s recent recognition of the Moroccan autonomy proposal for the Western Sahara as the “most serious, realistic and credible” solution to the conflict. The Spanish newspaper highlights the economic growth that Morocco has witnessed under the reign of King Mohammed VI, with the country’s GDP tripling to 130 billion euros in 2023.
The article also points out the social progress made, with 3.8 million families receiving a social income from the state and 23 million Moroccans benefiting from compulsory health insurance since last year.
As Morocco celebrates the 25th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s accession to the throne, local and international media have devoted extensive coverage to assessing this period.
A recent analysis by the Spanish Institute of Governance and Applied Economics, Coordenadas
highlighted Morocco’s growing presence and influence in the advanced world, acknowledging the country’s progress under the leadership of King Mohammed VI. The report praised King Mohammed VI’s successful
management of Morocco’s relations with Europe, capitalising on the country’s role in the fight against human trafficking and irregular migration, and cooperating closely in efforts to combat terrorism.
She also acknowledged the progress made by Morocco in recognising its sovereignty over the Western Sahara, while extending a hand of friendship to neighbouring Algeria.
MN/ac/fss/as/APA