Moroccans diaspora backs royal directive to restructure expatriate affairs

The Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME) expressed appreciation for the Royal speech aired on Wednesday, November 6, on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the Green March, reaffirming its readiness to support the Royal Directives, according to a press release by the group.

The Council hailed “the Royal tribute to the patriotism of Moroccans abroad and their commitment to defending national sanctities and contributing to the country’s development.”

The CCME also commended “His Majesty’s decision to initiate a new approach in managing the affairs of Moroccans living abroad, aiming to strengthen their ties to the homeland,” which includes “a directive to restructure relevant institutions to make sure there is no overlap of powers and no dispersion of actors, and ensure that the evolving needs of the expatriate community are met.”

The press release also highlighted “the CCME’s strong appreciation for the Royal instruction for the government to reorganize the institutional framework into two distinct bodies.”

The first is the establishment of “the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad,” an independent constitutional body tasked with serving as a platform for reflection, proposal, and representing the diverse segments of the diaspora, according to the same source, adding His Majesty’s call to expedite the enactment of a new law governing the CCME, in line with Article 163 of the Constitution.”

The Council also “expressed appreciation for the royal decision to establish the Mohammed VI Foundation for Moroccans Abroad, which will serve as the executive arm for public policy in this domain.”

The foundation is set to consolidate the currently fragmented responsibilities, coordinate the national strategy for the diaspora, and oversee its implementation.

Additionally, the foundation will manage the “national mechanism for mobilizing the talents of Moroccans abroad,” a key priority aimed at tapping into the skills and expertise of the diaspora, supporting entrepreneurs and project developers, and facilitating the involvement of government sectors and various stakeholders, reads the statement.

The council mentioned that the foundation is also expected to reinforce linguistic, cultural, and religious education for Moroccans of all generations living abroad, with a focus on the latter two priorities at the heart of public policy for Moroccans worldwide.

The statement also noted that, in addressing the challenges this foundation must confront—such as simplifying and digitizing administrative and judicial procedures for Moroccans abroad—the CCME commends His Majesty’s commitment to creating new opportunities for the diaspora to invest in their homeland.

The CCME also “expressed its full support for all directives outlined in the royal speech and affirmed its readiness to contribute fully to the effective implementation of the royal guidance presented in the speech.”