Seriousness and succession
The celebration of the Feast of the Throne this year with Mohammed VI as King of Morocco marks a point of reference for the content of the monarch's message for the present and future of the Maghreb country and a clear and convincing confirmation of Prince Moulay El Hassan's role as heir apparent, exercising functions reserved for the King, reviewing the detachment of the Royal Guard, and publicly receiving the loyalty and support of the highest leaders of the Kingdom's political, military and social institutions.
The Prince accompanied his father, at the Royal Palace in Tetouan, at the swearing-in ceremony for officers and non-commissioned officers. Afterwards, he presided over a luncheon hosted by the head of the government and attended by the highest military commanders. At the obeisance ceremony held the previous day, representatives of the twelve regions of the Kingdom showed their support for the Monarchy.
In his speech, the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, vindicates the customary seriousness of Moroccans in all social sectors as a guideline for being, behaving, working and relating not only internally, but also with the outside world, with neighbouring countries and in international relations. His speech on the occasion of the Feast of the Throne, which this year marks the 24th anniversary of his enthronement, will remain a reference in which he appeals to all sectors of Moroccan society to continue acting with even greater seriousness in order to promote the good level of development and modernisation and to maintain the right course to achieve broader horizons of reforms and major projects. The monarch states that this is not an empty slogan, nor a new figurative value, but rather an integrated concept that encompasses a set of practical principles and human values.
The encouragement of seriousness will allow difficulties and challenges to be overcome. The examples used in his most relevant speech of the year point to extolling the national identity with the effort and the overcoming of the challenges that the players of the Moroccan national football team demonstrated in the last World Cup, and related to sport, but with a more transcendental political, economic and collaborative dimension, he placed the challenge of Morocco's joint candidacy with Spain and Portugal for the organisation of the Football World Cup in 2030. An unprecedented bid that unites two continents and two civilisations to achieve greater cooperation, communication and understanding. Another example of creativity and innovation mentioned by the King was the production of the first Moroccan-made car and a prototype that runs on hydrogen.
Mohamed VI addressed the problems faced by Moroccans due to the crisis caused by the drought, the pandemic and international instability that has forced the government to provide a series of social benefits for the less fortunate. On this point, water management represents a serious wake-up call for the proper use of resources that are scarce in North Africa, but also in southern Europe, as we are experiencing in several Spanish autonomous communities.
Seriousness is also a key element in Moroccan diplomacy's action in the international arena to gain more and more support for its proposal for greater autonomy for the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty. The latest case, that of Israel, follows decisions in important countries such as the United States, Spain, Germany and the Emirates, among many others. As well as the Palestinian cause. Territorial integrity, national unity and the social and religious values of families represent the basis for a more cohesive society.
And once again, Mohammed VI extended the hand of affection and friendship to Algeria's neighbours, who should never expect hostile acts from their Moroccan brothers, and offered a sincere and cordial dialogue with Algeria to iron out differences, but the Algerian response has been quite the opposite, insisting on tightening the rope and on political and diplomatic tension, which aims to keep the option of a serious, viable and lasting solution to the Sahara conflict at a standstill.