By ALI O. AMAR
Something is happening in the Middle East. Countries where change was believed impossible and reform unfathomable just a few months ago are now boiling and burning. Something is really happening — where little has happened for a thousand years: Words of hope and moments of fear, evenings of complete euphoria and nights of utter despair.
Large and peaceful demonstrations in Morocco are followed by loud and deadly confrontations in Syria. Massive crowds fill the streets and squares of Cairo, Tripoli, Sana’a, Damascus, Amman, Rabat, Kuwait City. Even the ultra-conservative kingdom of Saudi Arabia is trembling to the chants for change and freedom.
Presidents who felt so secure about their regimes that they made plans for their sons to inherit power are now gone. Monarchs who believed they were unaccountable, untouchable and indispensable are grasping for assurances and explanations. Presidents Ben Ali of Tunisia, Mubarak of Egypt, Gadhafi of Libya, Salih of Yemen are gone — and Assad of Syria is killing his way out of power.
Traveling through this part of the world, one senses history being made, that the people of the region are for once masters of their own fate. Regardless of the political grievances and the economic demands first expressed by demonstrators, the stakes now are bigger and expectations higher. What do the people of the Arab world want? Real change, actual reform and an equal shot at the pursuit of happiness. Here in Laayoune, the largest city in the southern provinces of Morocco, one is struck by the language, attitude and demeanor of the locals.
While keeping his eyes on hanging television sets tuned to news channels, a young businessman takes a long sip from his Lavazza cup and declares: “Change and reform will be great for business. … Here things were never as bad as in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, but I think we can do a lot better if things really change. … I would like to see an end to the corruption hampering my business!”
Morocco shares many of the ingredients of the regional unrest: a very young population, high unemployment among the youth, insufficient opportunities for college graduates, a lackluster private sector, widespread corruption, a discredited political class and an unresponsive and poor-performing government.
On Feb. 20, Moroccans organized large and peaceful protests throughout the kingdom, making the same demands for reform and chanting the same slogans for more freedom and more opportunity that caused regime change in Tunis and Cairo.
Youth movements, trade unions, political parties, civil society organizations, women’s groups and minority associations marched in more than 60 cities and towns asking the king to sack the prime minister and dissolve parliament. But the marchers everywhere also chanted, “Long live the king!” Unlike most Arab rulers, King Mohammed VI enjoys the support and the respect of his people.
Ever since his succession to the throne in 1999, King Mohammed VI has redefined this 400-year-old monarchy and given it a new meaning and a new mission. The young king sought reconciliation between the throne and the people, the majority of whom suffered in one way or another from the arbitrary and brutal rule of his late father.
Under the rule of Mohammed VI, women have gained full legal equality under the law, poverty has declined, the country’s infrastructure has expanded, foreign direct investment reached spectacular levels, and massive investments were made in housing for the poor, renewable energy and agriculture.
In March, the king announced the creation of a special commission to draft a new constitution for the country. The king promised the overhaul of the legal system, the strengthening of the rule of law and the institutionalization of the guarantees and protections of human rights and personal freedoms. The new constitution was overwhelmingly approved by a popular referendum in July, and the stage was set for parliamentary election the following fall.
Moroccans went to the polls in November to elect a new parliament, the first under the new constitution. More than 30 political parties were competing for fewer than 400 seats. Political parties of all colors and persuasions were running for a chance to have a place at the table of power under the new constitution.
Liberals, conservatives, Islamists, communists, feminists, environmentalists, libertarians and independents were all competing to win seats in a new Moroccan parliament whose powers have been strengthened by the new constitution and from which the new head of government will be selected. The Party for Justice and Development, moderate Islamist party and a major force in Moroccan politics, was declared the winner of the lion’s share of seats in the new parliament.
When it comes to the Arab Spring, Morocco is doubtless like no other country. It introduced dramatic changes, in record times, and with the minimum of turbulence. The hard work for Moroccans starts now, as the PJD introduces its government, gets ready to govern and carries the heavy load of unreasonable expectations.
To ensure the success of its democratic experiment, Morocco certainly needs the help and support of its Western allies. The American envoy to Morocco was the first foreign ambassador to visit the headquarters of the PJD and to meet with the prime minister-elect. The visit was a reassuring and telling sign for us all.
