Rabat: A Model of Royal Governance: Open, Resilient and Credible.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, this Moroccan model has been shaped by a Royal Vision rooted in openness, resilience, and credibility, as noted by Thomas Rielly in an interview on the occasion of the celebration of the glorious Throne Day. These virtues, which make Morocco unique in its neighborhood and far beyond, are the result of the extensive reform process implemented in Morocco since the enthronement of His Majesty the King, the British diplomat noted.
Rielly, who served as ambassador in Rabat from 2017 to 2020, noted that when he took up his post in Rabat, he discovered a kingdom that had been completely transformed politically, economically, and socially. “The political and economic stability Morocco enjoys is clearly the result of Royal leadership,” he said, praising the royal approach to political and economic development, in which the Monarchy plays a central role as a unifying force for the nation. “His Majesty the King has always championed the emergence of a genuine democratic process in Morocco, involving its people and all active forces of society,” Rielly added. This openness, he said, has enabled the Kingdom to stand as a pillar of stability in a region marked by volatility.
On the economic front, Rielly said the reforms launched in recent years have led to the rise of a Moroccan development model advancing at a steady pace, fueled by unwavering determination. “Morocco has moved beyond the threshold of emerging-market status. If you look at the investments being made across the country, it is clear the development is ongoing in infrastructure, finance, tourism, renewable energy, industry, logistics, and culture,” he explained. The diplomat highlighted several key projects, including the Casablanca Finance City, infrastructure developments for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the Tangier industrial zone, and major tourism facilities.
“Morocco is undergoing a period of strong economic momentum, making it a very attractive investment destination,” Rielly noted, adding that political stability is the bedrock of the country’s growing appeal. He noted that in the eyes of the British business community, which is highly sensitive to factors of uncertainty and risk, Morocco offers every guarantee of success, including a healthy macroeconomic framework and political stability based on solid foundations. “Looking across the southern Mediterranean, Morocco is the only country that truly offers both stability and a return on investment,” he asserted.
The UK-Morocco Association Agreement, Rielly continued, has opened up significant opportunities in sectors like agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, and security. This cooperation is expected to deepen in the lead-up to the 2030 World Cup. Through its massive investments across all sectors, Morocco is in a position to deliver “the best edition” of this global event, he stated. “The world will have a chance not only to witness Morocco’s development but also to experience the Kingdom’s ancient culture and heritage, reflected in its hospitality, history, and way of life,” Rielly added.
Referring to his country’s government’s recent support for the autonomy plan for the Sahara, Rielly expressed great satisfaction, calling it a milestone he had personally worked toward during his tenure as ambassador to Morocco. He called the Autonomy Plan “the only credible, viable, and pragmatic solution” and said the UK’s support represents a major step forward that will further deepen UK-Morocco cooperation, in line with the roadmap set out in the joint statement issued during Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to Rabat in June. The UK’s support for the autonomy plan is “the trigger” for a reinforced partnership, one worthy of the centuries-old friendship between the two nations, which dates back over 800 years, the diplomat said.
Rielly also highlighted Morocco’s influence in its region, an influence that is rooted in the Royal Vision, particularly with regard to South-South cooperation. “His Majesty the King stands out for His Vision for Africa, the continent to which Morocco proudly belongs,” he said, noting that Morocco proudly asserts itself as an African nation that considers Africa a fundamental pillar of its economic development. “Morocco is a gateway to Africa, but it is also much more than that,” Rielly observed, stressing that the Kingdom “is a true example of stability and economic opportunity for the rest of the African continent.”
Rielly, who previously led the UK’s counterterrorism department, emphasized that both Rabat and London had underscored, during Lammy’s visit, their shared commitment to boosting security cooperation. He stressed that Morocco’s critical role in areas like security, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism is widely recognized in the UK and beyond. Security isn’t just about drones and boots on the ground. “It is above all about providing economic opportunities for people. That’s what Morocco offers, not just to the Sahel region, but to Africa as a whole,’ Rielly concluded.