Mohamed Benaissa, Morocco’s former foreign minister and a key figure in the country’s cultural and diplomatic landscape, has died at the age of 88.
Benaissa, who also served as Morocco’s ambassador to the United States, was widely recognized for his contributions to politics and culture. He was the founder of the Asilah Cultural Festival, one of Morocco’s longest-running cultural forums, which has been held annually for more than 40 years.
Benaissa began his academic journey studying journalism at the University of Minnesota before assuming leadership of Rassemblement National des Indépendants, the newspaper of his political party. Over time, he shifted his political allegiance to the Authenticity and Modernity Party.
His political career started as a parliamentary representative for his hometown of Asilah. He later became a prominent figure in the city’s development, both culturally and politically. In 1978, alongside renowned Moroccan painter Mohamed Melehi, Benaissa co-founded the Asilah Cultural Festival. The event, known for its intellectual discussions and artistic contributions, has attracted leading writers, scholars, and political figures from across the Arab world, Africa, and Europe.
During his tenure as mayor of Asilah, Benaissa was at the center of several political and media controversies. A notable dispute occurred while he was Morocco’s ambassador to the U.S., involving a legal battle with Moroccan magazine Le Journal.
Benaissa held ministerial and diplomatic positions under both King Hassan II and King Mohammed VI. His cultural initiatives in Asilah received strong royal support, and his influence extended beyond Morocco, earning him recognition across Africa and the Arab world. In 2008, he was named Cultural Personality of the Year by the Sheikh Zayed Book Award.
In recent years, Benaissa advocated for the institutionalization of financial support for the Asilah Cultural Festival to ensure its continuity beyond his lifetime. His legacy is deeply embedded in Asilah, a city where numerous public gardens bear the names of influential literary and intellectual figures, including Tayeb Salih, Mahmoud Darwish, and Mohamed Abed Al-Jabri.
His passing marks the end of a decades-long career dedicated to diplomacy, culture, and the arts.
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