Morocco perceived as a reliable partner by Western powers

Morocco’s presence on Trump’s Board of Peace is a clear example of its growing influence on the international scene as a key partner, reports Moroccan government-friendly Atalayar on 2nd February.

The Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita attended the inaugural ceremony for the Board in Davos, Switzerland, with representatives from Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia also present as founding members. Morocco’s invitation to this panel of world leaders is significant: the North African country is increasingly perceived as a reliable ally with increasing influence in both Africa and the Arab World.

The Kingdom has succeeded in positioning itself as a trusted partner for Western powers, due to its relative stability and clear diplomatic vision. Its recent diplomatic win on the Western Sahara issue, with the UN Security Council recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty on the contested territories, has cemented its image as a key player, with a large number of countries, both in Europe and in Africa, expressing their support. Morocco has also invested heavily in soft power, promoting its image as a tolerant, ‘moderate’ Muslim country, welcoming both tourists and investors.

Nevertheless, Morocco has adopted a prudent position by sending its Foreign Minister, upon instructions from King Mohammed VI, rather than Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, who had signed the tripartite agreements with the US and Israel.

Political analyst Khaled al-Bakari observes that this choice could signal that Morocco is trying to distance itself from the Board, which is perceived as Trump’s alternative to international institutions such as the UN. He notes that “Morocco is not enthusiastic about the Peace Council initiative, especially since it lacks international acceptance, even from Washington’s traditional allies”.

Normalization with Israel is a very contentious issue in Morocco, where the population has expressed its support for the Palestinian cause with regular protests. There have also been demands for all diplomatic ties with Israel to be severed. The choice of Bourita, rather than Akhannouch also tries to frame Morocco’s participation in the Board of Peace as part of a diplomatic process, rather than a political alignment with the US and Israel.

Atalayar, The Voice, Maghribi.org