Some Moroccans want that developments are faster

It is today, during the feast of the throne, the Moroccans will celebrate ten years of reign of Mohamed VI, who succeeded his father Hassan II in the aftermath of his death, on 23 July 1999. All the dignitaries of the country will, like every year, to renew their allegiance to the sovereign. Ten years after his accession to power Moroccans paint a picture mixed blessing of recent years: Although reforms have been completed, but a number of black spots remain, including a great social inequality. Some Moroccans want that developments are faster.

When it comes to power, the young King has thirty-five years and a modern profile: amateur sport, beautiful cars and rap, Mohamed VI left hope for an opening, that some hoped even see evolve as the Spanish Movida. Had the King it not, expressed its willingness to continue the policy undertaken by his father in the last years of his reign

Ten years after, the advances are many. Thus, the country obtained in 2008 the "advanced status" of the European Union, which will enable term to freely access the European market.

Modernize its infrastructure

The Morocco is also seeking to modernize its infrastructure through massive programmes of equipment: port Tanger-Med on the Mediterranean, built from scratch with aims to become the largest port in Africa, roads, tourist programs and social housing, in Rabat and Casablanca tramway networks... In 2011, the country will feature 1,500 kilometres of motorways against 100 in 1999. A TGV project was initiated between Tangier and Casablanca. The South of the country also began to be equipped with roads and ports. Between its different programs of modernization, the country experienced a decade of strong growth and pass almost ' through drops of the crisis. Growth was 6 in 2008 and should still reach about 3 this year, and per capita GDP has doubled between 2003 and 2008, reaching $ 2,600. Considerable progress, but that still leaves Morocco, countries deprived of natural resources, behind the Algeria (4.041 dollars) and Tunisia (3.759 dollars).

Modernization is not only equipment, but also institutions and climate policy. From the beginning of his reign, Mohamed VI instituted a "fairness and reconciliation" commission which has compensated the victims of the years of lead, without however that torturers have been worried. A new Family Code was adopted in 2004 and gives women of rights almost equivalent to those of men. And as Commander of the faithful, the King began a reconquest of the religious, to curb the fundamentalist excesses and support "islam in the Middle". These actions have not prevented a violent Islamist attack in 2003 in Casablanca (45 dead) in turn led to a strong repression. The record of the Western Sahara, it is remained stuck. The independence of the judiciary, corruption remains present. And especially, despite programs to remove slums and an ambitious program of education, inequality reduces only very slowly. Very large fortunes - including that of the King - alongside an abject. It is true that the weight of the agricultural regions and demography does not facilitate the task of the Government.

Beyond this nuanced assessment, the mode of royal Government also raises questions: If Mohamed VI is very present - seen daily on television opening buildings or visiting schools - he almost never gives interviews and flees the major international meetings. He governs through his close advisors, without making much of the Parliament. A discretion that however it would be wrong to be confused with weakness.