EL ESPAÑOL: King Mohammed VI has decided to abdicate throne, fueling intensified succession conflict as Crown Prince seeks refuge in Army
BY/ Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The Moroccan monarchy is currently experiencing a period of intense conflict and uncertainty. The decision of King Mohammed VI to step down from the throne has only served to intensify the already heated debate over his succession. The crown prince, caught in the middle of this power struggle, has sought refuge in the army.
At the heart of this conflict is the king’s brother, Prince Rashid, who is determined to seize the throne for himself. His ambition has caused tensions to escalate within the royal palace, with two factions vying for control. One group supports the king’s son and crown prince, while the other backs Prince Rashid.
According to the Spanish newspaper “El Espanyol,” Prince Rashid enjoys strong support from his sister Lalla Maryam and the security establishment, led by intelligence director Abdel Latif Hammouchi. The paper also reports that Mohammed VI is preparing to relinquish his authority as king in favor of his son, while retaining the title of “honorary king” for himself. He plans to reside in the city of Tetouan in northern Morocco, where he has been purchasing land and luxury residences.
The king’s deteriorating health has been a major factor in his decision to step down. He has been absent from his duties in government for some time and is not prepared to continue in his position for much longer. The situation has given rise to a number of theories, including the possibility of a media campaign against the king by certain companies, or pressure from the United States and Israel to transfer power to a younger, stronger king.
The successive developments in Morocco have had a significant impact on the country’s political landscape. Mohammed VI, the king of Morocco, was compelled to seek the assistance of the Royal Army to ensure the safety of his son, Prince Hassan. This explains the Crown Prince’s recent appearances in military uniform during the celebration of the 67th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Armed Forces.
However, Prince Hassan has chosen to distance himself from activities carried out by the security establishment. This was most evident in his absence from the anniversary of the founding of the National Security. This reflects a growing tension between the king and the security establishment, as well as a sharp difference in their visions regarding the transfer of power between the army and intelligence.
These events in Morocco have coincided with the recent visit of the Speaker of the Zionist Knesset, Amir Ohana, and his controversial statements. Ohana attempted to convey a message that the Zionist entity adheres to the Makhzen system through its current structure, to the point that the kingdom turns into “Morocco is our home.” This visit has significant implications for the arrangements for the transfer of power in Morocco.
Furthermore, this visit confirms that the entire process of normalization was not aimed at supporting the Makhzen’s proposition about the “Moroccanity of the Sahara,” but rather at supporting Prince Hassan’s accession to the throne at the expense of his uncle, Prince Rashid, and his movement in the Alaouite palace. The question remains whether the latter will accept a reality created by external forces!
