Hicham Enhaili, MoroccoTomorrow Founder
Written by Hicham Enhaili
Wednesday, November 16th
MoroccoTomorrow held a meeting with Ahmed Herzenni and Colin Freeman, Chief Foreign Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph of London. Mr. Freeman mentioned that his paper may not have provided informed coverage of events in Morocco over the past several months due to heavy reporting from Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. He heard that many countries and people were impressed by Morocco’s constitutional reforms, and made note of the peaceful transition there compared to turbulence in other MENA countries. Mr. Freeman discussed the possible election turnout, and also asked about the influence of Islamic interests in Morocco in comparison with their dominance in Tunisia and Egypt. He also discussed Mr. Herzenni’s role in human rights and as a drafter of Morocco’s new constitution. Mr. Freeman concluded the interview by inquiring about the growing threat of Al Qaeda and other affiliated terrorist groups in the Middle East & North Africa.
SIR JEREMY Q. GREENSTOCK
During the meeting, Sir Jeremy discussed both Herzenni’s background, and his role in helping draft Morocco’s new constitution and the reforms, which have now become law. Sir Jeremy is a former UK Ambassador to both Washington DC, Paris, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and the United Nations. He is also a former chairman of UN Security Council Counterterrorism Committee. Mr. Herzenni pointed out that Morocco’s peaceful transition is due, in great part, to a tolerance of dissent and free speech. Sir Jeremy also inquired about both the youth vote and the likely strength of the various Islamist parties, and asked for Mr. Herzenni’s opinion about the likelihood of continued reforms in both Morocco and other MENA region countries. Sir Jeremy expressed a great interest in Morocco’s concerns about human rights, and also inquired about the threat of terrorism after this summer’s bombing in Marrakesh.
LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE (LSE)
Dr. Herzenni and MoroccoTomorrow took part in a round table discussion hosted by Dr. Fawaz Gerges, Director General of LSE’s Middle East Centre, Professors S.E. Borbridge and A.R. Revel, Co-Directors of LSE Middle East Centre, as well as other senior LSE facultymembers. Ahmed Herzenni opened the meeting with a brief history of reforms undertaken by the late King Hassa
n II and the King Mohammed VI, leading up to Arab Spring events of last February, and Mohammed VI’s rapid response by initiating new reforms and calling for a citizens’ committee to draft a new constitution for Morocco. LSE faculty members were interested to hear Dr. Herzenni’s perspective on why dissent in Morocco has been relatively peaceful, and what expectations the country has for reforms after the upcoming legislative elections.
Thursday, November 17th
THE TIMES OF LONDON
MoroccoTomorrow held a meeting with Mr. Herzenni and Roger Boyes, Chief Diplomatic Editor for the Times of London in his office. Mr. Boyes began the interview with the statement, “Mr. Herzenni, please tell me everything – will the election be free, fair, transparent, is there any chance that the results could be falsified?” Mr. Herzenni gave his perspective on the election, and emphatically stated that the election will be free, fair, and transparent, and gave a brief history to show how manipulation of election results is not practiced in Morocco. Mr. Herzenni then discussed the uniqueness of Morocco and how Morocco’s reforms are not entirely result of the Arab Spring. Mr. Herzenni emphasized a long history under the reform-minded king of democratic Mr. Herzenni was then asked for his opinion on what he expects from the upcoming election in terms of the results. Mr. Herzenni said that while he frankly didn’t know which party will come first. Mr. Herzenni and Mr. Boyes then discussed the difference between monarchies and non-monarchies in the MENA region. Mr. Herzenni again emphasized the fact that reforms are an ongoing process, and will continue over an extended period. The reforms also reflect Morocco’s long history of diversity and multiculturalism. Mr. Herzenni and Mr. Boyes then discussed women’s role in Morocco.
EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS (ECFR)
MoroccoTomorrow organized a roundtable discussion with Ahmed Herzenni titled “The Road to Reform in Morocco” and the European Council of Foreign Relations (ECFR) Fellows, Susi Dennioson, Nicu Popescu, and Jose Ignacio Torreblanca, and notable thought-leaders from think tanks, academia, and government officials, such as Dr. Claire Spence, Head of Middle East and North Africa Programme from prominent British think tank, Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Robert Wilson from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Middle East and North Africa Research Group, and Donny Queen from the Department of International Development. The round table meeting began with a formal lecture. Mr. Herzenni began the discussion by saying that “everything is about legitimacy.” Mr. Herzenni said in countries where there was no legitimacy—neither traditional nor even religious—there were revolutions. Mr. Herzennii then emphasized uniqueness of Morocco (Morocco has legitimacy) and the differences between Morocco and other Arab spring states by discussing the long story of reform in Morocco. When asked about “the Islamist debate,” he explained why strong Islamist influence which dominated Tunisia election last month and is likely to dominate votes in Egypt is not a factor in Morocco and why neither Islamist Party nor any other party can have absolute majority in Morocco. He then talked about the new constitution and the reforms under the constitution, which include transfer of role and responsibility of head of state from king to newly and freely elected prime minister. He discussed the protection under law of all religions and independent judiciary and other reforms. The roundtable was concluded with a discussion on ECFR’s latest report titled, “A Chance to Reform: How the EU Can Support Democratic Evolution in Morocco,” and how EU could help improve socio-economic performance in Morocco, which has clear benefits for both sides. EU, could for example, particularly in the wake of the Marrakech bombing at the end of last April, give high-profile support to Morocco and rebuild the security of, and confidence in, Morocco’s tourist industry.
HENRY JACKSON SOCIETY
MoroccoTomorrow organized a roundtable discussion with Ahmed Herzenni and Research Fellows at Henry Jackson Society, including Houriya Ahmed, Robin Simcox, Julia Peengill, and Business Development Director, Victoria Mackay. Originating within the University of Cambridge, the Henry Jackson Society is a nonpartisan organization that promotes “democratic geopolitics,” and sponsors research on democratization throughout the world. It regularly invites prominent international leaders, government officials, and academics to speak at the Parliament. Mr. Herzenni discussed with the Fellows his role in drafting the newconstitution in Morocco and his personal background as strong human rights advocate. He also discussed Morroco’s long history under reform-minded king of democratic reforms. Mr. Herzenni laid out the factors, which explain relatively peacefultransition in Morocco and wide support of monarchy. The fellows and Mr. Herzenni then discussed in-depth various reforms under the new constitution including equal rights for women, independent judiciary, and other reforms, including recognition of ethnic Berbers and making their language with Arabic official state language. Mr. Herzenni emphasized that these reforms reflect Morocco’s long history of diversity and tolerance and multi-culturalism. Mr. Herzenni also emphasized how these reforms and the generally peaceful way they have been enacted explains in part the differences between Morocco and other Arab Spring states and may explain why Morocco is the one stable, secure country in North Africa.
