Latest: Corruption and Money Laundering.

Corruption is crippling Morocco’s nascent democracy.

Abdelilah Benkirane has been Head of Government
 of Morocco since 2011.
He is the leader of the Justice and Development Party

Several months ago, Moroccan foreign relations reached a political impasse. The Sahara affair, more particularly, led the kingdom’s relations with the UN secretary general, the US, the EU and some Arab and African states to falter. A sudden policy change has commingled foreign investment with political cards to create more favourable circumstances today, temporarily at least.

Reaching out to diverse international and regional powers seems to have enabled foreign policy to move on in leaps and bounds. Yet, due to uncertain commitment from new allies, in a region of transforming alliances and political blocs, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI reiterates frequently that the country fulfils its promises, contracts and strategic relations with traditional friends, at arm’s length from all.

However, the importance given to, and capacity invested in, foreign policy is crippled by internal administrative corruption. In his 17th Throne Day anniversary speech, the king admitted that corruption cannot be fought by one individual, party or association. Rather, it requires cooperation between the state and civil society, respect for the rule of law and rational expectations, since eradicating it totally may be just wishful thinking...

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