RABAT, MOROCCO — During the course of the past several months, numerous countries of the Middle East and Northern Africa, including those of Tunisia and Egypt, have experienced sweeping and dramatic reforms.
Citizens took to the streets in protest of their overbearing, authoritarian governments. This Arab Spring, the name given to the revolutions that have touched much of the Arab world, has brought about a time of collective initiative aimed at fundamentally changing the lives of all those involved.
The North African country of Morocco, encouraged through the influence of the Arab Spring, is primed to undertake its own political and social reforms as its citizens prepare to vote on Friday afternoon to instate a newly amended constitution.
Five KU students currently studying abroad in Morocco will have the opportunity to witness first-hand what this historical moment will mean for the country.
The protests and demonstrations put forth Feb. 20 in the capital city of Rabat, with thousands demanding changes to the constitution and limitations on the monarchy, received the attention of King Mohammed VI, who in response promised to consider their grievances.
The result has been the some 80 clauses that will be voted on by the people to be added to the constitution, of which include the relinquishing of powers to the parliament, constitutionalization of human rights and the official recognition of the Amazigh, or Berber, language and cultural identify.
“This can be seen as the beginning of a gradual move toward more democratization in the future, although, for some these immediate changes are simply not enough,” said Driss Maghraoui, history professor at Al Akhawayn Univeristy in Ifrane, Morocco. “The major concentration of power will still lie with the king. He still has the role of commander of the faithful. He is still the supreme commander of the military. He will also maintain his ability to remove the prime minister. But still for others this is seen as an important step in the right direction.”
The history of voting in Morocco has been one of floundering participation. With reportedly corrupt parties and rigged elections, most Moroccans have shied away from the voting process, or even political dialogue altogether.
“Unfortunately, this is the voting situation in Morocco,” Maghraoui said. “The level of corruption in the past has deterred many from wanting to vote because they know it will not do any good. This was especially true prior to the rule of the current monarch. This regime has been slightly more transparent, though many of the political parties have been discredited. People also know that the King ultimately still has the power. This is something though that I think this regime would like to change. If people don’t go out to vote it will not look good for them.”
The reforms in the new constitution and the push towards democracy have sparked political debate among many college-aged Moroccans who have begun to consider what role they will play in the future of their country and how they will ultimately continue its growth.
“Morocco needs active people,” Zineb Abbad El Andaloussi, a senior at Al Akhawayn, said. “The problem is that our social system is all over the place. Our middle class is almost non-existent. Families are either super rich or super poor, and if you can’t afford to take your kids to school then they will not receive the knowledge necessary to participate in the growth of our country. I ultimately want a transfer of power to the people, but we don’t know who these people are yet and what they would do with this power. Education is what it is going to take to take people out of the dark so they can form and act on their own opinions and not just do what they are told.”
It remains to be seen what will come of Friday’s election in Morocco, but one thing is certain, it has fundamentally started the wheels of change.
“I am anxious to see how this election will go, how many people will actually go and vote, and see if these changes will actually be introduced or not,” said Mehdi Lazrak, a senior at Al Akhawayn. “I really hope this election will get more people involved politically, because it seems that most Moroccans, including myself before this election, really don’t want to have anything to do with politics. The face of Morocco is changing and we all should help to make it what we want.”
As a student studying abroad in a foreign country, the opportunity to witness these kinds of fundamental changes is quite unique.
For Brandon Holland, a senior from Minneapolis studying Arabic this summer at Al Akhawayn Univeristy, Morocco has come to represent a home away from home, and one he is anxious to see what the future will hold for.
“The desire for political change is undeniable here, Holland said. “It’s really interesting to see how the king has handled everything. It hasn’t been a situation like we’ve seen in Egypt with Mubarak or in Libya with Gaddafi. He has kept it mostly peaceful. I have to commend King Mohammed VI for giving these reforms. He’s politically savvy enough to keep things from escalating. It’s all incredibly interesting and I really hope things turn out well here. I really do love this country.”