Free article preview  

Young King Mohammed VI faces a tide of economic and social problems bequeathed by his father Hassan II

The mass outpouring of grief after the death of King Hassan II, one of Africa's most ruthless and canniest rulers, is fast being overtaken by worries about the future, particularly the shaky economy. A week after his father's sudden death from a heart attack on 23 July, King Mohammed VI went to Fez to lead Friday prayers. This was a critical signal of political and religious continuity. Surrounded by the Makhzen (the Palace-run political establishment) Mohammed VI took over as Al Amir al Mouminin (Commander of the Faithful), Morocco's spiritual head. Mohammed had accepted the Ba'ya (oath of allegiance) from his subjects immediately after Hassan II's death....

(This article contains approximately 1671 words)

end of free article preview

Current subscribers: log in now to read the complete article. Misplaced your password? Then click here for a password reminder.

Not a subscriber? Then you can read this article in full either by becoming a subscriber now, for 3, 6 or 12 months, or you can buy this individual article.

  • Subscribe to Africa Confidential:
  • Buy this article:
  • 3-month subscription
    Prices from £205.00 (+ VAT where applicable)
    6-month subscription
    Prices from £376.00 (+ VAT where applicable)
    12-month subscription
    Prices from £705.00 (+ VAT where applicable)
  • UK & European Union
    £17.00 (+ VAT where applicable)
    Rest of the world
    $27.00

  • If you have a print subscription already, click here for a password that gives you full access to the website.
  • If you are logged in, but still cannot access the full text of this article, email customer services or telephone us on +44(0)1638 743633.

Keywords:

Hassan, Mohammed, Abdessalam Yassine, French, United States, Diplomatic polygamy, Zaïre, Mobutu Sese Seko, Togo, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, Soviet Union, Israel, Angola, Jonas Savimbi, Bill Clinton, Jacques Chirac, Spain, Juan Carlos, Ehud Barak, Britain, s, Charles, Jacques Delors, Moulay Rachid, Moulay Hicham, Moulay Abdallah, Windsors and the World Cup, Mourad Cherif, Driss Benhima, Ahmed Redha Guedira, Moulay Ahmed Alaoui, Driss Basri, André Azoulay, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, Noubir Amaoui, Ahmed Lahlimi, Makhzen, Al Amir al Mouminin, Ba'ya, Chérifien, Le Journal, ouverture, Bourse, réseau, curriculum vitae, Force Armée Royale, de facto, Gendarmerie Nationale, Paris Match, Union Socialiste des Forces Populaires, Istiqlal, gouvernement d'alternance, Telefónica