M6 has placed the rapid modernisation of Morocco's creaking infrastructure at the centre of his domestic development policy high on a scale of priorities that is headed by finally securing the kingdom's ownership of the disputed Western Sahara and ensuring a smooth succession for Crown Prince Moulay el Hassan bin Mohammed al Alaoui (AC Vol 67 No 1 Questions for the ‘builder king')...
His successor Crown Prince Moulay Hassan turns 23 on 8 May...
The attention of Hammouchi Direction Générale des Études et de la Documentation head Mohammed Yassine Mansouri and other securocrats is focused on keeping a lid on any dissent while staying as close as possible to 21-year-old Crown Prince Moulay el Hassan bin Mohammed al Alaoui...
Like father like son M6's very long absences from Morocco leaving only a technocrat government in charge add to the general malaise and power vacuum and beg questions about the eventual succession of Crown Prince Moulay el Hassan bin Mohammed al Alaoui who turns 21 on 8 May...
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One source with strong Makhzen (ruling establishment) links told Africa Confidential that more than ever before M6 was looking towards the succession of Crown Prince Moulay Hassan bin Mohammed who on 8 May will turn 21...
But Tamim was 32 when he took over while Moulay Hassan is more than a decade younger an age gap for which even his eminent advisory council would be unable to compensate...
While M6's health remains in question Crown Prince Moulay el Hassan bin Mohammed al Alaoui turns 18 on 8 May edging closer an age where he could more comfortably become King Hassan III were his father's health to deteriorate further (AC Vol 61 No 22 Unrest simmers over economy and Covid & Vol 60 No 17 Divorce Moroccan-style)...
Against this background media images of the willowy impeccably dressed 17-year-old Crown Prince Moulay el Hassan bin Mohammed al Alaoui meeting global celebrities including United States presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner invite speculation about a king-in-waiting...
The regular outings of 16-year-old Crown Prince Moulay el Hassan bin Mohammed al Alaoui – for example meeting the Macrons at the funeral for French President Jacques Chirac – suggest an accelerated education before ascending to the throne...
M6 understands its potential threat to the eventual succession of his son Crown Prince Moulay Hassan who turns 16 on 8 May...