By Samantha Stein
Morocco World News
Washington D. C., September 15, 2012
In the wake of the Arab Spring, many Moroccans and Moroccophiles alike began to ask when Morocco would pop up on Washington?s radar as a strategic ally in the region. Morocco presented itself as a regional pillar of stability, when revolutions and political protests spread across the Middle East and North Africa in 2010. Although protests also occurred in Morocco during this time, protests and peaceful calls for reform are nothing new in Morocco.
In Morocco, unlike in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt, protests in 2010 were not a spark set off by the Arab Spring, but rather more of a call by preexisting political and social movements asking for reform, who saw an opportunity to ride on the wave of change set forth by the Arab Spring. In July 2011, King Mohammad VI responded to the protests by issuing constitutional reforms, which among other changes, granted greater executive power to both the prime minister and parliament.
When I was the Resident Director for the National Security Language Initiative in Rabat, one student asked the diplomats at the U.S. embassy security briefing, ?What is so special about Morocco and why won?t there be a revolution here?? The answer is that Morocco doesn?t claim to be anything other than a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. It is not a dictatorship dressed up as a democracy. It is a Muslim country, but it embraces a history of religious tolerance. This is demonstrated by its unique history with its Jewish population, the delegation of young Moroccan students who visited Israel this year for cross-cultural dialogues, and its hosting of the first holocaust conference in the Arab world earlier this year.
Morocco is also a monarchy ruled by a leader, currently King Mohammad VI, whose legitimacy is in part rooted in his shared lineage with Islam?s Prophet Mohammad. He is considered the ?Amin Al-Amuninin,? which is Arabic for, ?Commander of the Faithful.? And when the Moroccan King preforms the ritual sacrifice of a sheep during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, he symbolically protects his country by demonstrating their submission to God.
The monarchy?s legitimacy in relation to Islam?s prophet Mohammad also positions the monarchy as a key player in stabilizing the MENA region?s transition post-Arab Spring. As the Arab Awakening highlights a competition for ideas about which form of Islam should be followed, Morocco will continually present itself as a pole for Sunni Islam.
The United States diplomatic relationship dates back to its foundations. After all, Morocco was the first country to recognize the United State?s independence in 1777. Today, Morocco continues to be a U.S. ally. We need more initiatives to engage Morocco in the MENA region?s period of transition. Earlier this week, this need was further highlighted by a new wave of unrest set off across the MENA region and beyond, sparked by film mocking Islam?s Prophet Mohammad.
The United States holds the 2012 G8 presidency, which means it is also the co-chair of the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative (BMENA). This multilateral effort held a meeting in Morocco earlier this month focused on women?s empowerment. US-Morocco ties were also strengthened last week at the first Morocco-US Strategic Dialogue, where in addition to pledging a mutual commitment to working towards stability in the MENA region, Secretary Clinton announced a commitment to strengthening economic ties between the US and Morocco. She announced a Morocco Business Development Conference to be held in Washington D.C. later this year. Reasons to continue to develop and nurture this strategic relationship abound and this past week?s political and diplomatic events further demonstrate this need, as long-term regional instability calls for leveraging both new and old partnerships.
Follow Samantha Stein on Twitter @SteinSamantha
? Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed.
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