On Wednesday evening, King Mohammed VI announced the restructuring of institutions supporting Moroccans living abroad (MRE) to strengthen their connection with the Kingdom.

This reform includes a comprehensive overhaul of the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME) and the establishment of the Mohammedia Foundation for Moroccans Living Abroad.

During his address commemorating the 49th anniversary of the Green March, the King honoured the patriotism of Moroccans abroad and their commitment to defending national symbols and supporting the development of their homeland.

The Sovereign emphasized the need for a “Royal re-engineering” of the institutional framework for MREs, with an “institutional shift” designed to prevent overlapping responsibilities, consolidate resources, and address the evolving needs of this community.

This restructuring aligns with the King’s call from August 2022 for reform in managing the affairs of Moroccans abroad. In response, a specialized interministerial commission, led by the Head of Government, has been working toward these changes within relevant ministerial departments.

The Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad, a constitutional institution, is set to play a key role in reflecting the diversity of the MRE community and providing a framework for consultation and proposals. To facilitate this, the King has instructed the swift adoption of a new law for the Council, aimed at enabling its timely establishment.

The new Mohammedia Foundation for Moroccans Residing Abroad will serve as the operational arm of public policy for this community.

This Foundation will consolidate responsibilities currently spread across multiple agencies, oversee the development and implementation of the National Strategy for MREs, and manage the “National Mechanism for Mobilising the Skills of Moroccans Residing Abroad.”

The Sovereign emphasized that this initiative would support Moroccans abroad who wish to contribute their skills and expertise through initiatives and projects in Morocco.

One of the Foundation’s primary goals will be to enhance linguistic, cultural, and religious guidance for all generations of MREs.

Additionally, a key focus will be on simplifying and digitalizing administrative and judicial processes to ease interactions for Moroccans abroad.

The King also expressed a desire to increase investment opportunities for MREs in Morocco, noting that their current contribution to private national investments stands at only 10%.

In his address, the King acknowledged the patriotic dedication of Moroccans abroad, who act as steadfast ambassadors for the National Cause and resist separatist agendas.

This community remains a vital force for Morocco’s socio-economic development, as shown by the growing volume of financial transfers, which underscores their commitment to their country of origin through investments and knowledge sharing.