Mohamed VI watches over Morocco’s international prestige

Omar Hilale, Morocco’s permanent ambassador to the UN, analysed the ten pillars, the four creeds and the seven main facets of Mohammed VI’s royal diplomacy within the framework of MD Sahara 2024 from Dakhla

Within the framework of the 4th edition of the Forum Maroc Diplomatique Sahara, organised in Dakhla, Omar Hilale, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN, shed light on the specificities of sophisticated royal diplomacy.  

Morocco is distinguished by a millennia-long history of cultural, political and diplomatic institutional symbols that have positioned Morocco on the international stage since the dawn of the Moroccan nation state. 

King Mohammed VI, since his accession to the throne, has invested in this historical legacy, as well as worked hard to preserve its diplomatic traditions; adapting to the contemporary challenges of his time; and reconciling the universal values of the 21st century. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is a great connoisseur of its history and of Cherifian diplomacy. 

The roadmap for royal diplomacy drawn up by King Mohammed VI, nine months after his accession to the throne, on the occasion of the National Day of Moroccan Diplomacy, remains relevant and topical a quarter of a century later, because the instructions of a visionary king are in harmony with the challenges of the 21st century. He is a diplomatic monarch par excellence and a craftsman of engagement with different allies, which positions Morocco on the road to economic development, social progress and international prestige.  

The ten pillars of the King Alaoui’s Cherifian diplomacy

• Moroccan sovereign diplomacy has developed over the last quarter of a century on fundamental bases that demonstrate the strength and specificity of Moroccan diplomacy. These cardinal principles, which mark the diplomacy of King Mohammed VI are translated into ten pillars of Moroccan diplomacy: 
• The sanctity of the national cause, the territorial integrity of the Kingdom, which has always been a supreme priority and the prism that conditions its relations at regional and international level, whatever the price or the sacrifices to be made.  
• The strength of the principles that privilege the value of dialogue, openness with international actors and rapprochement with the blocs at the geopolitical level.  
• The Kingdom’s decision-making independence; Morocco is courageous and bold when it comes to multilateral negotiations on global issues such as immigration, sustainable development, the preservation of oceanic biodiversity and the reform of international institutions and the Security Council. This gives the country the appreciation of friends and the jealousy of enemies.  
• Morocco’s intuitive, proactive, pragmatic and unhurried approach to global challenges enhances the monarchy’s relationship with its democratic modernity and geostrategic position. 
• Transparency with bilateral and international partners and the courage to assume their positions and decisions.  
• Resilience in the face of all regional and international changes; this allows Morocco to adapt and accompany other countries facing these challenges. 
• The ambition to position the Kingdom among the countries that are listened to and influential in management at the United Nations Council, and to make it visible on the geopolitical map of the world at the regional and continental level. 
• Respect for the United Nations Charter, international law and multilateralism in order to implement the three foundations: the United Nations, peace, development and human rights.
• Its commitment to peace and international security; as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes and support for just causes and coexistence with other peoples. 
• Proactivity with a diplomacy convinced of the effectiveness of discretion in conflict situations. 

The four credos of King Mohammed VI’s diplomacy

The Moroccan Sahara has been at the top of King Mohammed VI’s priorities since the first day of his reign, with daily monitoring, a strategic vision, constant interest and initiatives that have had a major impact on the management of the national question. 

It is not only a question of territorial integrity, but a just existential cause for the Kingdom. The result has been the recognition of the Moroccan status of the Sahara by major countries such as the United States, France, Spain, as well as dozens of African, Arab, Asian and Latin countries, many of which have opened consulates in the cities of Dakhla and Laayoune. 

Many countries from four continents, most of them from the European Union, have expressed their support for the Moroccan initiative for the autonomy of the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty. This growing international support for the national cause goes hand in hand with a decline in the separatists’ hypothesis. Thirty-eight countries have ceased to recognise the Polisario Front in the twenty-five years of Mohammed VI’s reign alone. These achievements of royal diplomacy have been guided by four fundamental credos: 

Firmness: for any attempt that might hinder the recovery of territorial integrity or a challenge or opposition to Morocco’s sovereignty over the Saharan provinces. This has led to the historic conclusion of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan that the settlement plan is inapplicable and that the referendum should be definitively buried. 

Real firmness has also imposed respect for the exclusive role of the United Nations, thwarting all attempts to absolve Algeria of its responsibility in this dispute or to remove it from the round tables and joint processes.  

Diplomatic courage: one of its strongest moments was its acceptance of negotiating a mutually acceptable political solution to the Sahara dispute, defending its southern provinces with a great deal of courage in discussing with the other parties in order to maintain peace and definitively close this dossier.  
Another historic act that has marked the trajectory of this cause is the Moroccan initiative for autonomy within the framework of the regionalisation of the centralised system, considered the most credible, unique and realistic solution to the Sahara issue and an effort recognised by the Security Council since 2007. 

The Moroccan kingdom’s return to its African family in 2017 is another achievement of courageous royal diplomacy; after being a taboo subject for three decades. Reintegration into the African Union represents a symbol of identity, institutional belonging and fidelity to the founding principles of the Pan-African Union initiated by Mohammed V at the Casablanca conference in 1961. 

Clarification: the royal speech of 20 August 2022 marked a turning point in royal diplomacy by questioning the position of partner countries on the national cause. The sovereign has clearly warned them that the Sahara dossier is the prism through which Morocco views its international environment, reflecting the sincerity of the allies and the efficiency of the partnerships established. 

In the 49th anniversary speech of the Green March, he has unambiguously clarified this by questioning the United Nations on its responsibility to bring closure to this long-standing issue; in parallel, he has warned European countries that Morocco’s legal commitments will never be against the country’s national integrity.  

The real wisdom: as a mark of diplomacy during this quarter century that has allowed to contain the hostility of the Algerian neighbour and neutralise its adversity; preserving the right to protect Saharawi citizens whenever their security is threatened. Keeping an outstretched hand towards its Algerian neighbour is a fact that has won the admiration and appreciation of international actors, as well as responsible decision-making in the face of global crises. 

Royal diplomacy is pluralistic par excellence, its international impact has aroused jealousy, and it is committed because it has deep convictions rooted in its long history and is involved in all global issues because it aspires to be an actor in the solution and never a factor of conflict. Morocco is a country that is listened to because it carries messages of partnership, respected because it is committed to universal values, and sought after because it is an expert in building bridges between states.  

It also assumes its international responsibility in facilitating complex multilateral processes and negotiating proposed resolutions and declarations of heads of states and governments at the United Nations. 

The following are the seven main facets of Morocco’s royal diplomacy

Spiritual diplomacy: Mohammed VI, as Commander of the Faithful, has built a transnational and multidimensional spiritual diplomacy aimed at promoting moderate Islam based on the culture of peace, cultural and inter-religious dialogue, harmonious coexistence among peoples, as well as seeking to address contemporary challenges such as violent extremism, radicalisation, racism and the spread of hatred.  

The implementation of this strategy is the responsibility of the Mohammed VI Institute for the training of Morchidat and Morchidin imams (religious guides) created in 2015. This royal institution has provided humanist training for hundreds of imams in Africa, Europe and Asia. The Mohammed VI Foundation for African ulema, also created in 2015, is expanding moderate Moroccan Islam and promoting a network of religious leaders across the continent.  

Diplomacy of solidarity with the Palestinian people: the Palestinian question is at the heart of King Mohammed VI’s vision. The Al-Quds Committee, chaired by the Sovereign, carries out tireless political action aimed at preserving the legal status of Al-Quds through the Bayt mal Al-Quds agency, the humanitarian social institution affiliated to the Committee. 

In this regard, Morocco deploys humanitarian initiatives and social services in favour of the inhabitants of Al-Quds, which is another eloquent symbol of this diplomacy of solidarity with the Palestinian people.  

King Mohammed VI made an appeal in March 2019: ‘We believe it is important to preserve the Holy City of Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif as a common heritage of humanity and, above all, for the followers of the three monotheistic religions, as a meeting place and a symbol of peaceful coexistence, where mutual respect and dialogue are cultivated’. 

Human rights diplomacy: the great achievements made in the field of human rights under the reign of Mohammed VI irreversibly builds the image of a democratic kingdom rooted in the rule of law, open to modernity and respectful of the principles of human rights. Thanks to his bold vision in the field of human rights. 

The Alawite sovereign’s action has enabled the Moroccan kingdom to be cited as a model at the international level in terms of transitional justice, the instance of equity and reconciliation, the family code and economic and social law.  

All these achievements have enabled the Moroccan kingdom to have an international impact and a high level of credibility in terms of the protection and promotion of human rights. 

Moroccan cities have given their name to universal agreements such as: 

• The World Forum on Human Rights in Marrakech 2014 marked by the King’s historic message on the protection and promotion of human rights in developing countries.  
• The 2012 Rabat action plan for the prohibition of calls for racial or religious hatred. 
• The Marrakech declaration on the rights of religious minorities adopted in 2006.  
• The action plan adopted in Fez 2017 on the role and responsibility of religious leaders in preventing the invitation to violence at the global level derived from the UN action plan.  
• The Marrakech Global Compact on Migration 2018.  

In parallel, Morocco has launched a multidimensional and proactive approach at the UN level; as well as initiated in July 2019 the historic Board resolution, the first of its kind to denounce hate speech, to celebrate 28 June 2021 as the National Day for Combating Hate Speech. 

Morocco’s presidency of the UN Human Rights Council is a success story that adds to the achievements of Moroccan diplomacy and a great international recognition of the reforms and initiatives launched by King Mohammed VI.  

European neighbourhood diplomacy: in accordance with royal guidelines, Morocco has succeeded in establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with Europe; positioning the Kingdom at the heart of the European partnership with its southern Mediterranean neighbourhood.  

It is a serene and taboo-free relationship, multidimensional and based on mutual interests, shared values, an evolving legal framework and a confident governance mechanism. There is no domain where the relationship with the European Union is not relevant in political, economic, commercial and human terms. 

Peacekeeping diplomacy: since his accession to the throne, the King has reinforced the commitment of the Royal Armed Forces under the banner of the United Nations in the service of international peace and security. Moroccan soldiers contribute to the noble mission of the UN thanks to the diplomacy of the Blue Helmets, which has allowed the Kingdom to gain international respect and an effective presence in urgent cases in Africa and its influence in the UN Secretariat General. 

Humanitarian diplomacy: based on the values of inclusion and solidarity, reflecting Morocco’s history with vulnerable populations around the world. This diplomacy symbolises the ‘soft power’ and the position of the monarchy towards the peoples of countries in situations of suffering, war, crisis or natural disaster.  

It is sometimes launched before the United Nations, as in 2011 on the Tunisian-Libyan and Syrian-Jordanian borders during the Arab Spring, with partial or total funding from the King’s personal funds, as in the humanitarian operation for Gaza in Ramadan. Among his major acts, the construction of 19 hospitals in 14 countries on four continents and the opening of humanitarian facilities and bridges to various crisis zones through the provision of medicines to African countries during the pandemic and the regular financial contribution to UN humanitarian aid and national immigration policy. 

South-South cooperation diplomacy: the King of Morocco is fully convinced of the relevance of this cooperation with the South as part of his royal strategy aimed at the economic development of the African continent. Mohammed VI has made 50 trips throughout the African continent in order to explore the countries’ markets, marking a golden age of royal economic diplomacy.  

It is distinguished by the content of solidarity with the countries of the South thanks to a pioneering real geopolitical vision, based on the principles of solidarity, sharing experiences of human co-development and co-investment.  

In this sense, Morocco has financed hundreds of cooperation and training projects and programmes in the economic, social and environmental fields, giving priority to investment in education and human capital both in African countries and outside the continent. 

It is in the same spirit of solidarity that the real initiative of the Atlantic Corridor in favour of the Sahel States, where the city of Dakhla, with its port, will be the heart of Africa, is part of the same spirit of solidarity. 

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