BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS – In an unprecedented revelation, the veil of secrecy surrounding the health of Morocco’s monarch, King Mohammed VI, has been partially lifted, shedding light on his ongoing battle with sarcoidosis—a perplexing disorder of the immune system that has left the King visibly aged and weakened despite his relatively young age of 59. As concerns mount over his prolonged absences from the public eye, experts weigh in on the impact of the disease and its implications for Morocco’s political landscape.
Observers of Moroccan political affairs have been increasingly alarmed by the conspicuous absence of King Mohammed VI from official duties, as well as the stark deterioration in his health. His recent appearances have underscored the gravity of his condition, revealing a startlingly frail physique that belies his true age. The King’s gaunt appearance and noticeable weight loss are evidence of an ongoing struggle that has gripped the nation’s attention.
Sarcoidosis, a little-known immune system disorder, has emerged as the root cause of King Mohammed VI’s health woes. First revealed in a 2018 report by “Elmundo,” a Spanish newspaper, this condition can wreak havoc on any part of the body, although it predominantly targets the lungs and lymph nodes. Medical experts explain that sarcoidosis often presents with symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and weight loss—symptoms that have become all too apparent in the Moroccan King’s recent public appearances.
One of the most concerning aspects of King Mohammed VI’s condition is its impact on his vision. Sarcoidosis can affect the eyes, leading to symptoms such as pain, blurred vision, intense redness, and heightened sensitivity to light. This visual impairment was brought to light through a circulating video clip, capturing the King raising his sunglasses to gain a clearer view inside a car—an act that inadvertently spotlighted the monarch’s struggles.
As the King’s health takes center stage, questions arise about the potential implications for Morocco’s political landscape. With a noticeably diminished presence in domestic and international affairs, concerns about leadership stability and decision-making processes come to the forefront. Analysts note that the country’s leadership has had to adapt to the King’s reduced activity, prompting a deeper examination of the role of the monarchy in Morocco’s governance.