Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has called for the rapid implementation of reforms aimed at creating more employment opportunities for young people, improving public services, and reducing regional inequalities, particularly in the country’s mountain and oasis areas.
The King made the call in his address at the opening of Morocco’s Parliament, one week after youth-led demonstrations demanding better education, healthcare, and an end to corruption.
King Mohammed VI said “there should be no contradiction between Morocco’s major national projects and its social programmes”, urging a faster pace and stronger impact in the rollout of local development initiatives.
He said “priority should be given to job creation for young people, as well as tangible progress in the education and health sectors.”
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According to official data, Morocco’s overall unemployment rate stands at 12.8 percent, while youth unemployment is 35.8 percent and 19 percent among graduates.
The King also stressed the need to focus on vulnerable regions, noting that poverty rates in mountainous and oasis areas remain higher than the national average, despite a decline in overall poverty from 11.9 percent in 2014 to 6.8 percent in 2024.
Morocco operates as a Constitutional monarchy, with the King setting the country’s main policy directions implemented by an elected government.
During the ceremony, thousands gathered along the avenue leading to Parliament to welcome the King, who was accompanied by his brother and the crown prince.
Meanwhile, the youth group “GenZ 212,” which had organized earlier protests, announced the suspension of demonstrations out of respect for the monarch.
Reuters/Oyenike Oyeniyi