Tuesday, June 21, 2011

King Mohammed VI Sends Landmark Constitutional Changes to Moroccan People for a Vote

"King Mohammed VI of Morocco said the new constitutional reforms would safeguard human rights", CNN
In a speech, Friday June 17, His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco announced a number of significant constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening Morocco’s governing institutions. The proposed amendments include appointing a Prime Minister as Head of the Government of Morocco, introducing a parliamentary system, and establishing an independent judiciary. The goal of the establishment of the aforementioned political entities is to ensure oversight and accountability within the government. These latest reforms serve to reinforce and build on Morocco’s efforts over the past two decades to strengthen and promote good governance and to empower the populace to engage politically, socially and economically.
At the heart of the proposed amendments is the need to promote equality among all citizens of the Kingdom of Morocco regardless of sex, origin, language, religion or creed. The proposed reforms seek to bring recognition of Amazigh as an official language of Morocco which is particularly relevant to the indigenous population of the Western Sahara. A Regionalization Initiative has also been proposed, which will focus on the transfer of power from central government authorities to local and regional officials who are often more directly accountable to citizens. In many ways the initiatives and amendments put forward by King Mohammed VI can be read as an indication that those in power are interested in the resolution of the conflict in the Western Sahara.  The passing of the proposed constitutional amendments would establish the Moroccan Kingdom as a constitutional monarchy. The National Referendum is set to take place on July 1.
Posted by western sahara today at 12:51 AM

19 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 22, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    I'm really happy for the people of Morocco, but I also think this will help the situation in Western Sahara also. Hopefully the greater democracy will spread to the Western Sahara, and bring peace eventually.

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  2. AnonymousJune 22, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    i dont see how this is going to help the western sahara. this is just about morocco. not the western sahara.

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  3. AnonymousJune 22, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    I agree. Morocco's internal affairs will obviously affect their foreign relations. There are a couple ways I can see this helping Western Sahara:

    1. Hopefully the Sahrawi will see that Morocco is willing to take big steps to solve problems (as shown by these proposed changes), and is an entity with whom they can sit down and talk with seriously.
    2. The emphasis on human rights in the new constitution should allay any fears of the Sahrawi that they would be treated any differently than any other citizen.
    -SJordan

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  4. AnonymousJune 22, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    the morocco plan is best for western sahara they will be benefit under this very much and so will morocco...also morocco goverment has say that they understand there are differences in western sahara and morocco and this new constitution shows they do things well.

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  5. RashadJune 22, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    S Jordan. That's a fair analysis, though incomplete. We're forgetting that the Western Sahara issue is not just between Morocco and them. Algeria is also involved.

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  6. AnonymousJune 22, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Obviously Algeria is involved, Rashad. What I'm saying is that the King's new proposals will hopefully improve the atmosphere between the Sahrawi and Morocco. Obviously, there are other issues that would have to be addressed also.
    -SJordan

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  7. HinaJune 22, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    This is a great moment for the Morocco. In regards to the Western Sahara, though, I think it'll definitely be interesting to see how the people being more involved in decision-making will affect the situation.

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  8. AnonymousJune 22, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    If ever there was a time for the conflict to be resolved in the Western Sahara, this speech most definitely is that time!

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  9. SuhailJune 22, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    its obviously interrelated. western sahara will definitely see the freedoms moroccans are getting and will desire to be a part of it and want peace.

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  10. AnonymousJune 22, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    Agreed. If the reforms pass the referendum (which they almost certainly will), that puts Western Sahara in a situation in which it is no longer dealing with a monarch but dealing with the people of Morocco as well. This will change the dynamic greatly.
    -SJordan

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  11. AnonymousJune 22, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    King Mohammed's speech will help because the international community will start to take Morocco even more seriously because it has become more democratic. The support for the Autonomy plan for Western Sahara will then increase.

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  12. AnonymousJune 22, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    i think we should wait. the western sahara situation is complex, and constituional changes in morocco won't necessarily do much.

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  13. AnonymousJune 24, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    the speech is all cosmetics !!!!!

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  14. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    this is the only and "only" thing that is mentioned in the speech that concerns the western sahara

    "In parallel, the draft Constitution provides for the promotion of all linguistic and cultural expressions in Morocco, particularly the Hassani culture, which is a characteristic feature of our beloved Saharan provinces."

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  15. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    here is a new interview about the reality of the conflict

    http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/trend-lines/9260/global-insider-western-sahara-talks

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  16. aminJune 27, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    how can moroccans chigago vote ??? anyone knows

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  17. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    Contact your embassy in washington DC

    by Western Sahara news blog

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  18. American Task Force on Western SaharaJune 28, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    Let's hope these new amendments open up doors for true freedom for Moroccans and Western Sahara's people

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  19. AnonymousJuly 21, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    I believe it s gonna what ever reforms the new constitution will bring is going to be in the long run due to the oppositions of the political parties

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