Editing History of Morocco (section)

==Independent Morocco (since 1956)==

In late 1955, in the middle of what came to be known as the [[Revolution of the King and the People]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gdc.gale.com/archivesunbound/archives-unbound-the-king-and-the-people-in-morocco-1950-1959-u.s.-state-department-records-on-the-internal-affairs-of-morocco/|title=Revolution of the King and the People in Morocco, 1950–1959: Records of the U.S. State Department Classified Files|last=Burns|first=Jennifer|access-date=28 October 2016}}</ref> Sultan Mohammed V successfully negotiated the gradual restoration of Moroccan independence within a framework of French-Moroccan interdependence. The sultan agreed to institute reforms that would transform Morocco into a constitutional monarchy with a democratic form of government. As the French Foreign Minister Antoine Pinay had expressed, there was a willingness to grant Morocco its independence to "turn Morocco into a modern, democratic and sovereign state".<ref name=":5" /> In February 1956, Morocco acquired limited home rule. Further negotiations for full independence culminated in the French-Moroccan Agreement signed in Paris on 22 March 1956.<ref name=":5" />

On 7 April 1956, France officially relinquished its protectorate in Morocco. The internationalized city of [[Tangier]] was reintegrated with the signing of the [[Tangier Protocol]] on 29 October 1956.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cannon |first=Cavendish W. |date=April 1957 |title=Status of Tangier |journal=American Journal of International Law |volume=51 |issue=2 |pages=460–466 |doi=10.2307/2195744 |jstor=2195744 |s2cid=146977896 }}</ref> The abolition of the Spanish protectorate and the recognition of Moroccan independence by Spain were negotiated separately and made final in the Joint Declaration of April 1956.<ref name="LOCprof" /> Through this agreement with Spain in 1956 and another in 1958, Moroccan control over certain Spanish-ruled areas was restored. Attempts [[Ifni War|to claim other Spanish possessions through military action]] were less successful.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bendourou |first1=Omar |title=Democratization in the Middle East: Power and Opposition in Morocco |journal=Journal of Democracy |date=1996 |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=108–122 |id={{Project MUSE|16755}} |doi=10.1353/jod.1996.0041 |s2cid=154542573 }}</ref>

In the months that followed independence, Mohammed V proceeded to build a modern governmental structure under a [[constitutional monarchy]] in which the sultan would exercise an active political role. He acted cautiously, intent on preventing the Istiqlal from consolidating its control and establishing a [[one-party state]]. He assumed the monarchy on 11 August 1957, and from that date, the country officially became known as 'The Kingdom of Morocco'.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad-V-sultan-of-Morocco|title=Muḥammad V {{!}} sultan of Morocco|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref><ref>Langer's Encyclopaedia of World History, page 1288.</ref>

===Reign of Hassan II (1961–1999)===
[[File:Hassan II, Marrakech, 1966.jpg|thumb|King [[Hassan II of Morocco|Hassan II]], on his way to Friday prayers in [[Marrakesh]], 1967.]]
Mohammed V's son [[Hassan II of Morocco|Hassan II]] became King of Morocco on 3 March 1961. His rule saw significant political unrest, and the ruthless government response earned the period the name "the [[Years of Lead (Morocco)|years of lead]]". Hassan took personal control of the government as prime minister and named a new cabinet. Aided by an advisory council, he drew up a new constitution, which was approved overwhelmingly in a December 1962 referendum. Under its provisions, the king remained the central figure in the executive branch of the government, but legislative power was vested in a bicameral parliament, and an independent judiciary was guaranteed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Constitutional history of Morocco |url=https://constitutionnet.org/country/morocco |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=ConstitutionNet |language=en}}</ref>

In May 1963, legislative elections took place for the first time, and the royalist coalition secured a small plurality of seats. However, following a period of political upheaval in June 1965, Hassan II assumed full legislative and executive powers under a "state of exception," which remained in effect until 1970. Subsequently, a reform constitution was approved, restoring limited parliamentary government, and new elections were held. However, dissent remained, revolving around complaints of widespread corruption and malfeasance in government. [[1971 Moroccan coup d'état attempt|In July 1971]] and [[1972 Moroccan coup attempt|again in August 1972]], the regime was challenged by two attempted military coups.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

After neighbouring [[Algeria]]'s 1962 independence from France, border skirmishes in the [[Tindouf Province|Tindouf area]] of southwestern Algeria escalated in 1963 into what is known as the [[Sand War]]. The conflict ended after [[Organisation of African Unity]] mediation, with no territorial changes.<ref>{{cite web |author=P. Mweti Munya |url=http://lawdigitalcommons.bc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1192&context=twlj |title=The Organization of African Unity and Its Role in Regional Conflict Resolution and Dispute Settlement: A Critical Evaluation |publisher=Boston College Third World Law Journal |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=556–557 |date=1999 }}</ref>

On 3 March 1973, Hassan II announced the policy of [[Moroccanization]], in which state-held assets, agricultural lands, and businesses that were more than 50 percent foreign-owned—and especially French-owned—were transferred to political loyalists and high-ranking military officers.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=A history of modern Morocco|last=Miller, Susan Gilson.|date=2013|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781139624695|location=New York|pages=184|oclc=855022840}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aujourdhui.ma/focus/marocanisation-un-systeme-et-des-echecs-17906|title=Marocanisation : Un système et des échecs|website=Aujourd'hui le Maroc|date=7 September 2004 |language=fr-FR|access-date=17 July 2019}}</ref> The Moroccanization of the economy affected thousands of businesses and the proportion of industrial businesses in Morocco that were Moroccan-owned immediately increased from 18% to 55%.<ref name=":2" /> 2/3 of the wealth of the Moroccanized economy was concentrated in 36 Moroccan families.<ref name=":2" />

The patriotism engendered by Morocco's participation in the Middle East conflict and Western Sahara events contributed to Hassan's popularity. The king had dispatched Moroccan troops to the [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]] front after the outbreak of the [[Yom Kippur War|Arab-Israeli War]] in October 1973.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/1975-09-01A.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111130036/https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/1975-09-01A.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 January 2017|title=The 1973 Arab-Israeli War. Overview and Analysis of the Conflict|last=CIA Intelligence Report|date=September 1975|website=CIA Library Reading room|access-date=22 February 2019}}</ref> Although they arrived too late to engage in hostilities, the action won Morocco goodwill among other Arab states.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} Soon after, the attention of the government turned to the acquisition of [[Western Sahara]] from Spain, an issue on which all major domestic parties agreed.<ref name="LOCprof" />

Following years of discontent and inequality during the 1980s, on 14 December 1990, a general strike was called by two major trade unions in the country to demand an increase in the minimum wage and other measures. In Fez, this broke into protests and rioting led by university students and youths. The death of one of the students further inflamed protests, resulting in buildings being burned and looted, particularly symbols of wealth. While the official death toll was 5 people, the [[The New York Times|New York Times]] reported a toll of 33 people and quoted an anonymous source claiming the real death toll was likely higher. The government denied reports that the deaths were due to the intervention of security forces and armoured vehicles. Many of those arrested were later released and the government promised to investigate and raise wages, though some of these measures were dismissed by skeptical opposition parties.<ref name=":9">{{Cite book |last=Rivet |first=Daniel |title=Histoire du Maroc: de Moulay Idrîs à Mohammed VI |publisher=Fayard |year=2012}}</ref>{{Rp|377}}<ref>{{cite news |title=33 Dead in 2-Day Riot in Morocco Fed by Frustration Over Economy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/17/world/33-dead-in-2-day-riot-in-morocco-fed-by-frustration-over-economy.html |work=The New York Times |date=17 December 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1990-12-16 |title=5 Die, 127 Hurt as Worst Riots in 7 Years Sweep Morocco City |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-12-16-mn-9259-story.html |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bidwell |first=Robin |title=Dictionary Of Modern Arab History |publisher=Routledge |year=1998 |isbn=9780710305053 |pages=146 |chapter=Fez Riots (1990)}}</ref>

===Western Sahara conflict (1974–1991)===
{{main|History of Western Sahara}}
[[File:Western_sahara_map_showing_morocco_and_polisaro.gif|200px|thumb|Status quo in [[Western Sahara]] since 1991 cease-fire: most under Moroccan control ([[Southern Provinces]]), with inner Polisario-controlled areas forming the [[Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic|Sahrawi Arab Republic]].]]
The Spanish [[enclave]] of [[Ifni]] in the south became part of the new state of Morocco in 1969, but other Spanish possessions in the north, including [[Ceuta]], [[Melilla]] and [[Plaza de soberanía]], remained under Spanish control, with Morocco viewing them as [[military occupation|occupied]] territory.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2018-12-14|title=Ceuta, Melilla profile|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14114627|access-date=2021-03-19}}</ref>

In August 1974, Spain formally acknowledged the 1966 United Nations (UN) resolution calling for a referendum on the future status of Western Sahara and requested that a [[plebiscite]] be conducted under UN supervision. A [[United Nations visiting mission to Spanish Sahara|UN visiting mission]] reported in October 1975 that an overwhelming majority of the Saharan people desired independence. Morocco protested the proposed referendum and took its case to the [[International Court of Justice]] at [[The Hague]], which ruled that despite historical "ties of allegiance" between Morocco and the tribes of Western Sahara, there was no legal justification for departing from the UN position on self-determination. Spain, meanwhile, had declared that even in the absence of a referendum, it intended to surrender political control of Western Sahara, and Spain, Morocco, and [[Mauritania]] convened a [[Madrid Accords|tripartite conference]] to resolve the territory's future. Spain also announced that it was opening independence talks with the Algerian-backed Saharan independence movement known as the [[Polisario Front]].<ref name="LOCprof" />

In early 1976, Spain ceded the administration of Western Sahara to Morocco and Mauritania. Morocco assumed control over the northern two-thirds of the territory and conceded the remaining portion in the south to Mauritania. An assembly of Saharan tribal leaders duly acknowledged Moroccan sovereignty. However, buoyed by the increasing defection of tribal chiefs to its cause, the Polisario drew up a constitution and announced the formation of the [[Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic]] (SADR), and itself formed [[government-in-exile]].<ref name="LOCprof" />

The Moroccan government eventually sent a large portion of its combat forces into Western Sahara to confront the Polisario's forces, which were relatively small but well-equipped, highly mobile, and resourceful. The Polisario used Algerian bases for quick strikes against targets deep inside Morocco and Mauritania, as well as for operations in Western Sahara. In August 1979, after suffering military losses, Mauritania renounced its claim to Western Sahara and signed a peace treaty with the Polisario. In 1984, Morocco withdrew from the [[Organisation of African Unity]] due to the admission of the SADR as a member.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kazeem |first=Yomi |date=2017-01-31 |title=Morocco has rejoined the African Union after a 33-year absence |url=https://qz.com/africa/898645/morocco-has-rejoined-the-african-union-but-the-western-sahara-question-remains |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Quartz |language=en}}</ref> Morocco then annexed the entire territory and, in 1985 built a [[Moroccan Wall|2,500-kilometer sand berm]] around three-quarters of Western Sahara.<ref name="LOCprof" />

In 1988, Morocco and the Polisario Front agreed on a United Nations (UN) peace plan, and a cease-fire and settlement plan went into effect in 1991. Even though the UN Security Council created a [[peacekeeping]] force to implement a referendum on self-determination for Western Sahara, it has yet to be held, periodic negotiations have failed, and the status of the territory remains unresolved.<ref name="LOCprof" />

The war against the Polisario guerrillas put severe strains on the economy, and Morocco found itself increasingly isolated diplomatically. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s culminated in the constitutional reform of 1996, which created a new bicameral legislature with expanded, although still limited, powers. Elections for the Chamber of Representatives were held in 1997, reportedly marred by irregularities.<ref name="LOCprof" />

===Reign of Mohammed VI (since 1999)===
With the [[Death and funeral of Hassan II of Morocco|death of Hassan II]] in 1999, the more liberal Crown Prince Sidi Mohammed took the throne, assuming the title [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|Mohammed VI]]. He enacted successive reforms to modernize Morocco, and the [[human-rights]] record of the country improved markedly.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Mohamed VI, King of Morocco |encyclopedia=Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations |year=2007 |publisher=Gale}}</ref> One of the new king's first acts was to free approximately 8,000 political prisoners and reduce the sentences of another 30,000. He also established a commission to compensate families of missing political activists and others subjected to arbitrary detention.<ref name="LOCprof" /> In 1999, the [[First Sahrawi Intifada]] took place.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sahrawis campaign for human rights and independence in the first intifada, Western Sahara, 1999-2004 {{!}} Global Nonviolent Action Database |url=https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/sahrawis-campaign-human-rights-and-independence-first-intifada-western-sahara-1999-2004 |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Western Sahara Since the Arab Spring |url=https://www.accord.org.za/conflict-trends/western-sahara-since-arab-spring/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=ACCORD |language=en-GB}}</ref> Internationally, Morocco has maintained strong ties to the West. It was one of the first Arab and Islamic states to denounce the [[9/11 terrorist attacks]] on the United States.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schmickle |first=Sharon |url=http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2010/12/kaplans-morocco-distinctive-duo-realizing-dream-they-live-politics-and-proto |title=The Kaplans in Morocco: Distinctive duo realizing a dream as they live politics and protocol 24/7 |publisher=MinnPost |date= 17 December 2010|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref>

In September 2002, new legislative elections were held, and the [[Union Socialiste des Forces Populaires|Socialist Union of Popular Forces]] (USFP) won a plurality.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MOROCCO: parliamentary elections Majliss-annouwab, 2002 |url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2221_02.htm |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=archive.ipu.org}}</ref> International observers regarded the elections as free and fair, noting the absence of the irregularities that had plagued the 1997 elections. In May 2003, in honor of the birth of a son, the king ordered the release of 9,000 prisoners and the reduction of 38,000 sentences. Also in 2003, [[Berber-language]] instruction was introduced in primary schools, prior to introducing it at all educational levels.<ref name="LOCprof" /> In March 2000, women's groups organized demonstrations in [[Rabat]] proposing reforms to the legal status of women in the country. 200,000 to 300,000 women attended, calling for [[Polygamy in Morocco|a ban on polygamy]], and the introduction of civil [[divorce law]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/13/world/moroccans-and-women-two-rallies.html?ref=morocco |title=Moroccans and Women: Two Rallies |work=The New York Times |date=13 March 2000 |access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref> Although a counter-demonstration attracted 200,000 to 400,000 participants, the movement was influential on King Mohammed, and he enacted a new ''[[Mudawana]]'', or family law, in early 2004, meeting some of the demands of women's rights activists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/moroccan-feminist-groups-campaign-reform-moudawana-personal-status-codeislamic-family-law-19 |title=Moroccan feminist groups campaign to reform Moudawana (Personal Status Code/Islamic family law), 1992–2004 &#124; Global Nonviolent Action Database |publisher=Nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu |access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref>[[File:قطار البراق يقف في محطة طنجة المدينة.jpeg|thumb|[[Al-Boraq]], the first high speed rail service on the African continent.<ref>{{Cite web|last=2019-11-21T15:37:00+00:00|title=Africa's first high speed line covers its costs|url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/africas-first-high-speed-line-covers-its-costs/55192.article|access-date=2020-11-27|website=Railway Gazette International|language=en}}</ref>]]

In July 2002, a [[Perejil Island crisis|crisis broke out]] with Spain over a small, uninhabited island lying just less than 200 meters from the Moroccan coast, named [[Perejil Island|Toura or Leila by Moroccans and Perejil by Spain]]. After mediation by the United States, both Morocco and Spain agreed to return to the status quo, under which the island remains deserted.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2139911.stm |title=Europe &#124; Solution to island dispute 'closer' |work=BBC News |date=19 July 2002 |access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1402005/Battle-of-Parsley-Island-ends.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1402005/Battle-of-Parsley-Island-ends.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Battle of Parsley Island ends |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=20 July 2002 |access-date=22 November 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In May 2003, Islamist [[suicide bomber]]s simultaneously [[2003 Casablanca bombings|struck a series of sites in Casablanca]], killing 45 and injuring more than 100 others.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bright |first1=Martin |last2=Harris |first2=Paul |last3=Bouzerda |first3=Ali |date=2003-05-18 |title=Horror in Casablanca as al-Qaeda toll hits 41 |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/may/18/alqaida.terrorism2 |access-date=2023-03-27 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=2008-04-08 |title=Morocco: 9 Imprisoned for Casablanca Blasts Escape |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/08/world/africa/08briefs-9IMPRISONEDF_BRF.html |access-date=2023-03-27 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Moroccan government responded with a crackdown against Islamist extremists, ultimately arresting several thousand, prosecuting 1,200, and sentencing about 900. Additional arrests followed in June 2004. That same month, the United States designated Morocco a major non-[[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] ally, stating that it was in recognition of its efforts to thwart international terrorism.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2004-06-04 |title=US rewards Morocco for terror aid |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3776413.stm |access-date=2023-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Memorandum on Designation of the Kingdom of Morocco as a Major Non-NATO Ally {{!}} The American Presidency Project |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/memorandum-designation-the-kingdom-morocco-major-non-nato-ally |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=www.presidency.ucsb.edu}}</ref> In May 2005, the [[Second Sahrawi Intifada]] took place.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sahrawis campaign for independence in the second intifada, Western Sahara, 2005-2008 {{!}} Global Nonviolent Action Database |url=https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/sahrawis-campaign-independence-second-intifada-western-sahara-2005-2008 |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-12-11 |title=Western Sahara: Historical Timeline 1884–2014 - Cultures of Resistance Films |url=https://culturesofresistancefilms.com/ws-timeline/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |language=en-US}}</ref> On 1 January 2006, a comprehensive bilateral [[free trade agreement]] between the United States and Morocco took effect.<ref name="LOCprof" /> The agreement had been signed in 2004 along with a similar agreement with the [[European Union]], Morocco's main trade partner.<ref name=EUTradeComm>{{cite web|url=https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/southern-neighbourhood_en|title=Southern Neighbourhood: EU trade relations with its Southern Neighbourhood. Facts, figures and latest developments.| publisher=European Commission| author=Directorate-General for Trade| date=2022| access-date=20 October 2022}}</ref>

In February 2011, [[2011–2012 Moroccan protests|thousands of people rallied]] in Rabat and other cities calling for political reform and a new constitution curbing the powers of the king.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-03-20 |title=Thousands in Morocco march for rights |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/thousands-in-morocco-march-for-rights-2247511.html |first=Souhail|last=Karam|access-date=2022-04-13 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> Two months later, a [[2011 Marrakesh bombing|bombing in Marrakesh]] occurred, killing 17 people – mainly foreigners.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-04-28 |title=Morocco: Marrakesh bomb strikes Djemaa el-Fna square |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13226117 |access-date=2023-03-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chrisafis |first=Angelique |date=2011-04-28 |title=Moroccan tourist cafe terrorist attack leaves at least 15 dead |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/28/marrakech-tourist-cafe-terrorist-attack |access-date=2023-03-27 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bomb blast hits popular cafe in Morocco, killing 15 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna42797238 |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=NBC News |date=28 April 2011 |language=en}}</ref> It was the deadliest attack in Morocco in eight years. The [[Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb|Maghrebi arm of al-Qaeda]] denied involvement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-05-07 |title=AQIM denies responsibility for fatal Marrakesh bombing |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20110507-al-qaeda-islamic-magrheb-denies-responsibility-fatal-marrakesh-bombing-morocco |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-03-10 |title=Moroccan court hands down harsher sentences for cafe bombers |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20120310-morocco-al-qaeda-marrakech-bomb-cafe-french-tourist |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> In July 2011 King Mohammed introduced a [[2011 Moroccan constitutional referendum|constitutional referendum]] proposed in order to placate "[[Arab Spring]]" protests.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-07-02 |title=Morocco approves King Mohammed's constitutional reforms |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13976480 |access-date=2022-04-13}}</ref> In article 5 of the 2011 constitution, [[Standard Moroccan Amazigh|Amazigh]] was recognized as an official language.<ref>{{Citation |last=Ottoway |first=Marina |title=The New Moroccan Constitution: Real Change or More of the Same? |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2011/06/the-new-moroccan-constitution-real-change-or-more-of-the-same?lang=en |publication-date=20 June 2011 |publisher=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Morocco's Constitution of 2011 |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Morocco_2011.pdf |publisher=constituteproject.org |translator-last=William S. Hein & Co}}</ref>
[[File:ⵍⵃⵉⵔⴰⴽ ⵏⴰⵔⵔⵉⴼ.jpg|thumb|Hirak Rif protests|left]]In October 2016, large-scale protests erupted after a fish seller in [[Al Hoceima|al-Hoceima]] was crushed to death in a rubbish truck as he tried to retrieve fish confiscated by police. The protests became known as the [[Hirak Rif Movement]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-04-24 |title=Morocco profile - Timeline |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14123260 |access-date=2022-04-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Masbah |first=Mohammed |date=2017-11-07 |title=A New Generation of Protests in Morocco? How Hirak al-Rif Endures |url=https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/a-new-generation-of-protests-in-morocco-how-hirak-al-rif-endures/ |journal=Arab Reform Initiative |language=en}}</ref> The [[2016 Moroccan general election|2016 election]] witnessed the victory of the [[Justice and Development Party (Morocco)|Justice and Development Party]] (PJD), attaining a plurality of seats for a second consecutive time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-10-08 |title=Morocco PM's party wins election |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37594542 |access-date=2023-04-21}}</ref> On 30 January 2017, Morocco rejoined the [[African Union]] as a member state, 33 years after leaving.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Morocco rejoins the African Union after 33 years |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/1/31/morocco-rejoins-the-african-union-after-33-years |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Quinn |first=Ben |date=2017-01-31 |title=Morocco rejoins African Union after more than 30 years |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jan/31/morocco-rejoins-african-union-after-more-than-30-years |access-date=2023-04-04 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Morocco rejoins African Union after 33-year absence – DW – 01/31/2017 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/african-union-re-admits-morocco-after-33-year-absence/a-37342982 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> The [[2018 Boycott in Morocco|2018 consumer boycott]] targeted the market-dominating fuel, bottled water, and dairy brands.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-05-30 |title=Morocco consumer boycott has big business in its sights |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/morocco-protests-idUSL5N1SP35Z |access-date=2023-02-20}}</ref>

The [[COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco]] was first confirmed on 2 March 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Morocco: Health ministry confirms first COVID-19 case March 2 /update 2 |url=https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2020/03/morocco-health-ministry-confirms-first-covid-19-case-march-2-update-2 |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=Morocco: Health ministry confirms first COVID-19 case March 2 /update 2 {{!}} Crisis24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kasraoui |first=Safaa |title=Coronavirus Pandemic: A Timeline of COVID-19 in Morocco |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296727/coronavirus-a-timeline-of-covid-19-in-morocco |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=moroccoworldnews |language=en}}</ref> Eight days later, on 10 March 2020, Morocco recorded its first COVID-19-related death.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Morocco announces 1st coronavirus death |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/morocco-announces-1st-coronavirus-death/1761051 |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}</ref> On 10 December 2020, President [[Donald Trump]] announced that the United States would officially recognize Morocco's claims over Western Sahara as part of the [[Israel–Morocco normalization agreement]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Relations With Morocco |url=https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-morocco/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=United States Department of State |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kestler-D'Amours |first=Jillian |title=US recognised Morocco's claim to Western Sahara. Now what? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/11/us-recognised-moroccos-claim-to-western-sahara-now-what|date=2020-12-11 |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref> which saw Morocco reestablishing diplomatic relations with Israel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Morocco, Israel: 6 decades of secret ties, cooperation |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/morocco-israel-6-decades-of-secret-ties-cooperation/2083157# |website=aa.com.tr}}</ref> A joint declaration between the three countries was signed on 22 December 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joint-Declaration-US-Morocco-Israel |url=https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Joint-Declaration-US-Morrocco-Israel.pdf |website=www.state.gov}}</ref>

On 17 May 2021, [[2021 Morocco–Spain border incident|an incident occurred between the borders of Spain and Morocco]], part of a diplomatic crisis between both nations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ellyatt |first=Holly |title=Spain and Morocco in diplomatic crisis after 8,000 migrants enter Spanish territory |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/19/spain-and-morocco-clash-after-thousands-of-migrants-enter-ceuta.html |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=CNBC |date=19 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kassam |first=Ashifa |date=2021-05-18 |title=More than 6,000 migrants reach Spain's north African enclave Ceuta |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/17/record-1000-migrants-reach-spains-north-african-enclave-ceuta-in-a-day |access-date=2023-03-27 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Reasons Behind the Spanish-Moroccan Crisis |url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/reasons-behind-spanish-moroccan-crisis |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=The Washington Institute |language=en}}</ref> On 24 August 2021, neighbouring Algeria cut diplomatic relations with Morocco, accusing Morocco of supporting a separatist group and "hostile actions against Algeria". Morocco called the decision "unjustified".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ahmed |first1=Hamid Ould |title=Algeria cuts diplomatic relations with Morocco |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/algeria-says-cutting-diplomatic-ties-with-morocco-2021-08-24/#:%7E:text=Speaking%20at%20a%20news%20conference,on%20the%20Western%20Sahara%20issue |work=Reuters |date=25 August 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[2021 Moroccan general election|2021 election]] was held on 8 September 2021, which witnessed an [[electoral wipeout]] of the PJD, having lost more than 90% of its seats and ending in eighth place.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Alami |first1=Aida |last2=Casey |first2=Nicholas |date=2021-09-09 |title=Islamists See Big Losses in Moroccan Parliamentary Elections |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/08/world/africa/morocco-elections.html |access-date=2023-04-05 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2021-09-09 |title=Morocco elections: Islamists suffer losses as liberal parties gain ground |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/09/islamists-suffer-losses-as-liberal-parties-gain-ground-in-morocco-elections |access-date=2023-04-05 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The [[National Rally of Independents]] won a plurality of seats in the elections, and [[Aziz Akhannouch]] was later named the 17th [[Prime Minister of Morocco]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moderate parties win big in Moroccan elections – DW – 09/09/2021 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/morocco-moderate-parties-rout-ruling-islamists-in-elections/a-59128306 |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> On 24 June 2022, [[2022 Melilla incident|a migration incident]] occurred resulting in the deaths of 23 migrants.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=2022-06-25 |title=Melilla: death toll from mass incursion on Spanish enclave rises to 23 |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/25/eighteen-killed-as-throng-of-migrants-storms-spains-melilla-border-from-morocco |access-date=2023-03-27 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-27 |title=Melilla migrant deaths spark anger in Spain |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61956104 |access-date=2023-03-27}}</ref>

On 3 May 2023, King Mohammed VI declared [[Yennayer|Amazigh New Year]] as an official national holiday to be celebrated yearly.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rahhou |first=Jihane |title=Amazigh New Year Becomes Official National Holiday in Morocco |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/05/355284/amazigh-new-year-becomes-official-national-holiday-in-morocco |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=moroccoworldnews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-03 |title=King Mohammed VI declares the Amazigh New Year an official holiday |url=https://en.hespress.com/63411-king-mohammed-vi-declares-the-amazigh-new-year-an-official-holiday.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=HESPRESS English - Morocco News |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 8 September 2023, a 6.8 magnitude [[earthquake]] hit Morocco killing more than 2,800 people and injuring thousands. The [[Epicenter|epicentre]] of the quake was around 70&nbsp;km southwest of the city of [[Marrakesh|Marrakech]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Timeline: The Deadly September 8 Earthquake in Morocco |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/09/357589/timeline-the-deadly-september-8-earthquake-in-morocco |website=moroccoworldnews.com}}</ref>