Morocco’s Africa Role, Weight and Alliances as a New Government Forms
Morocco's banks, fertiliser giant OCP and Atlantic ports give it influence across Africa far beyond its 36.8 million people. King Mohammed VI has just named the country's first woman head of government. The post Morocco’s Africa Role, Weight and Alliances as a New Government Forms appeared first on The Rio Times .
Morocco's influence in Africa stems from its banks, fertiliser industry, ports, and diplomatic efforts, rather than its size. The North African kingdom has formed a new government in Rabat, led by the country's first woman head of government. The September 23rd parliamentary elections saw the centre-right PAM emerge victorious with 97 seats, followed by the outgoing ruling party, the National Rally of Independents (RNI) with 66, and the nationalist Istiqlal party with 65 seats.
The Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) received 54 seats. Turnout was the lowest in nearly two decades. King Mohammed VI, who has reigned since 1999, appointed El Mansouri, 50, as the new head of government under Article 47 of the constitution. She was previously the mayor of Marrakesh and housing minister in the outgoing cabinet.
No new cabinet had been named by October 4th. Morocco's influence is rooted in its banks, fertiliser industry, ports, and patient diplomacy, rather than its size. The country is a constitutional monarchy with the king retaining final say on foreign affairs, defence, and religion. King Mohammed VI has served since 1999, and Nasser Bourita has been foreign minister since 2017, overseeing African cooperation.
Morocco's strategic location, at the crossroads of Europe, the Arab world, and sub-Saharan Africa, allows it to project influence across the continent. Despite having a smaller population and economy compared to Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa, Morocco's economy is diversified, with key sectors including car and aircraft parts, phosphates, farm exports, tourism, banking, and logistics.
However, drought remains a significant challenge, as farming employs about a quarter of the workforce. The country's banks and telecom groups provide a strong commercial footprint in French-speaking West Africa. Morocco's role in Western Sahara, a disputed territory, is crucial to its African influence. The country has been a member of the African Union since 2017 and supports Morocco's Autonomy Proposal for Western Sahara, which is recognized by the UN.
Morocco is not a member of ECOWAS but has established ties with landlocked countries in the Sahel through regional alliances and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
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