AGP Executive Report

Sahara Diplomacy: Ahead of Friday’s UN Security Council vote, Washington has softened its draft resolution while retaining Morocco’s autonomy plan as the basis for talks. Budget Scrutiny: Lawmakers questioned whether the 2027 budget’s MAD 400 billion investment programme will reach underserved regions, and raised concerns about healthcare staffing and tax cuts. Port Investment: King Mohammed VI reviewed progress on Nador West Med, whose first terminal is due to open soon, and the planned Tanger Med 3 expansion. Government and Technology: Morocco has appointed Ahmed Rahhou as its first minister responsible for artificial intelligence, digital transformation and administrative reform. Security Cooperation: Moroccan and German police staged a joint exercise in Ifrane to test responses to complex crime scenes and major-event threats. Regional Diplomacy: Head of Government Fatima Zahra Mansouri represented the King at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow; Morocco also backed UAE diplomat Lana Nusseibeh’s bid to become UN secretary-general.

Western Sahara: Washington revised its Security Council draft ahead of Friday’s vote, removing automatic deadlines for MINURSO cuts but keeping Morocco’s autonomy plan as the sole basis for talks. More than 200 Sahrawi and international groups urged 142 UN members to defend self-determination and oppose an imposed settlement. Foreign Policy: Prime Minister Fatima Zahra Mansouri represented King Mohammed VI at the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, her first official trip abroad since taking office. Infrastructure: The king reviewed Nador West Med and Tangier Med 3 projects. Nador’s first terminal is due to open within days, while construction on Tangier Med 3 is set to begin. Defense: Morocco received six more US Apache helicopters, bringing deliveries to 19 of 24 planned under a $1.3 billion deal. Budget: PAM backed the 2027 draft, citing MAD 44.2 billion for social protection and higher education and health spending. Opposition party RNI accused the government of repackaging past reforms.

Western Sahara: A revised UN draft keeps Morocco’s autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as the basis for talks, while softening some language ahead of an October 30 Security Council vote. Ceuta and Migration: Spanish police documents allege Moroccan plainclothes officers helped direct July’s mass crossing into Ceuta; the claims are under investigation and remain unproven. The EU is also proposing wider Frontex powers, including deportations beyond the bloc. 2027 Budget: Morocco’s finance bill proposes income-tax cuts, 34,454 new public-sector jobs and increased spending on health, education and social support. Health Policy: The Competition Council urged a legal and economic impact review before changes to medicine pricing, warning that the regulator needs stronger capacity to protect supplies. Human Rights: CIVICUS called for the release of seven Sahrawi activists detained after a peaceful Rabat gathering, citing concerns over due process and alleged mistreatment. Royal Diplomacy: King Mohammed VI sent condolences to Jordan after a church attack killed nine, condemning terrorism and affirming Morocco’s solidarity.

Ceuta Inquiry: Spain’s Interior Ministry told a court it had no advance warning that the late-July mass migrant entry was likely. A judge is seeking records, while new deportations to Morocco face rights criticism. Western Sahara: Ahead of an October 30 Security Council vote, a reported U.S. draft backs Morocco’s autonomy plan as the basis for a settlement and proposes changes to MINURSO. Polisario rejects the proposal. 2030 World Cup: FIFA will inspect six Moroccan candidate cities in November and December as the race to host the final continues. Public Finances: Budget papers put average public-sector net pay at MAD 10,732, up 39% in a decade before inflation, and project 70,266 civil-service retirements by 2030. Investment: Morocco climbed to fourth in RMB’s Africa investment ranking, ahead of South Africa, with industrial growth and infrastructure cited as strengths.

Ceuta and Migration: A Spanish judge has given Madrid 15 days to declassify intelligence on July’s deadly mass crossing from Morocco. Spain has also returned 16 asylum seekers to Morocco, drawing criticism from rights groups. 2027 Budget: PAM has endorsed the finance bill and praised Prime Minister Fatima Zahra El Mansouri’s rapid government formation. The plan includes affordable rental housing for young people, students and workers, with public land offered to operators under rent and availability rules. Western Sahara: Polisario supporters protested a US draft resolution ahead of a Security Council vote on MINURSO. The proposal would make Morocco’s autonomy plan the basis for negotiations and replace the peacekeeping mission with a political one. Election Reform: PAM has appointed Samir Goudar to lead a committee examining laws for the next municipal and regional elections.

Election Dispute: PJD leader Abdelilah Benkirane challenged the official results of Morocco’s September election, saying his party won more seats than reported and accusing PAM of trying to sideline it. He also acknowledged that the PJD’s own mistakes contributed to its losses. Western Sahara: A US draft at the UN would shift MINURSO away from its referendum role toward a political process focused on autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. The proposal faces opposition and comes ahead of the Security Council’s review of the mission’s mandate. 2027 Budget: The Finance Bill plans 34,454 new public-sector jobs and MAD 44.2 billion for social protection, alongside income-tax relief for most employees. Student Housing: Budget documents put Morocco’s student-bed shortage at nearly 400,000, as high rents and limited university residences leave students struggling to find housing. Anti-Corruption: Morocco will co-host the IAACA’s annual conference in Marrakech on November 25, bringing together anti-corruption authorities from around the world.

2030 World Cup Funding: Morocco plans to finance major rail, road and airport projects through public-enterprise revenue and asset-backed funding, aiming to ease pressure on the state budget by about MAD 100 billion. Airport Growth: The country’s airports handled 29.3 million passengers in the first nine months of 2026, up 8.7% year on year, according to ONDA. 2027 Budget: The finance bill proposes 34,454 new public-sector jobs and MAD 19.4 billion for food and butane subsidies, alongside tax changes and higher social-protection spending. Western Sahara: A US draft resolution could reshape MINURSO’s role and shift attention from a referendum toward Morocco’s autonomy proposal. The Polisario Front has warned it may leave the UN-led process as the Security Council prepares to consider the mission’s mandate.

Sahara Talks: A US draft at the Security Council would make Morocco’s autonomy plan under its sovereignty the basis for negotiations and sharply reduce MINURSO’s military role. The mission’s mandate expires October 31; Sahrawi prisoners have warned the proposal risks their right to self-determination, while prisoner Abdallah Lakhfaouni staged a 48-hour hunger strike in Kenitra over alleged denial of basic rights. 2027 Budget: Morocco’s draft finance bill proposes 34,454 public-sector jobs, tax cuts and MAD 19.4 billion in subsidies for essentials including butane, sugar and wheat flour. Water Security: The government aims to lift dam storage capacity above 24 billion cubic metres by the end of 2027, as construction and water-transfer projects continue. State Enterprise: Royal Air Maroc reported record profits of more than MAD 2 billion last year while sharply increasing investment in its fleet.

2027 Budget: Morocco’s draft finance bill proposes 34,454 new public-sector jobs and income-tax relief that could exempt 87% of employees. It also sets out higher social-protection spending, while a 5% advance tax on some imports has drawn concern over possible price rises. Public Services: More than 70,000 civil servants are expected to retire by 2030, with education facing the largest outflow—adding pressure to recruit and maintain services. Western Sahara: With a Security Council vote approaching on MINURSO’s mandate, Morocco’s diplomacy is intensifying. Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita discussed the issue with Russia’s Sergei Lavrov, as competing draft proposals fuel debate over the UN process. Ceuta and Spain: A Madrid protest led by Ceuta residents demanded border measures and a return to normality after July’s mass migrant entry. Meanwhile, a Spanish judge is hearing from local officials and police about the crisis, and Spain’s territorial policy minister has cautioned against blaming Morocco.

Public Service: Morocco expects 70,266 civil servants to retire by 2030, with education accounting for nearly 40% of departures. The 2027 budget plans 34,454 new public-sector posts. 2027 Budget: The draft bill would exempt 87% of employees from income tax, raise minimum direct aid to MAD 600 a month and lift the minimum pension to MAD 1,700. Western Sahara: A US draft resolution ahead of the Security Council’s MINURSO vote would make autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty the basis for negotiations and reshape the mission. The Polisario Front says the proposal undermines the UN’s established framework. Tangier Elections: The USFP has challenged results in Tangier-Assilah, citing alleged vote-buying and irregularities. The Constitutional Court’s rulings could put parliamentary seats at risk. Security Services: New rules will reorganize police training and forensic work, including a higher institute for security sciences and an AI unit, from January 2027.

Sahara Diplomacy: A US-backed UN draft would drop the referendum reference and make autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty the basis for negotiations. The Polisario Front says the proposal undermines international law and the territory’s decolonisation status, as MINURSO’s mandate nears expiry. 2027 Budget: Morocco plans to exempt 87% of employees earning under MAD 10,000 a month from income tax, raise the minimum pension to MAD 1,700 and increase minimum direct aid to MAD 600. The government is targeting a 3% budget deficit. Government Delivery: A policy analysis warns the administration will be judged on whether investment creates jobs, social protection improves lives and public services reach underserved areas. South-South Ties: A Somali delegation visiting Dakhla explored investment and cooperation in sectors including fisheries, agriculture, tourism and energy.

2027 Budget: Morocco’s finance bill would exempt monthly salaries below MAD 10,000 from income tax, raise minimum direct aid to MAD 600 and expand pension support. It also authorizes up to MAD 190.5 billion in future defense commitments, including equipment and domestic industry development. Western Sahara: A US draft would make Morocco’s autonomy plan the sole basis for talks and reshape MINURSO. The Polisario Front threatened to leave the UN process; Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita spoke with Russia’s Sergey Lavrov as the Security Council debate intensifies. African Diplomacy: Morocco represented the African Union at UN talks on youth, peace and security, urging young people’s greater role in decision-making. In Rabat, UCESA and the AU’s ECOSOCC signed a cooperation agreement. Digital Government: The government plans to use AI in education and health, build national cloud infrastructure and train 200,000 specialists by 2030. Economic Reform: The African Development Bank approved $487 million to support Morocco’s economic reforms and climate resilience.

Government Program: Parliament approved Prime Minister Fatima Zahra El Mansouri’s program with 204 votes, but debate focused on prices, corruption and detainees, while the RNI said it would oppose the plan. Finance Bill: Parliament is due to hear the 2027 budget proposal, as the government faces pressure to deliver on economic and social promises. Government Shake-up: The Official Gazette formalized ministerial appointments and the dismissal of Madiha Khayr, just two days after her appointment; no replacement was announced. Anti-Corruption: An RNI local official in Tangier was sentenced to seven years in prison in a property fraud case involving alleged forged documents and land deals. Western Sahara: A draft UN Security Council resolution would reshape MINURSO and drop its referendum reference; the Polisario Front rejected the US-backed proposal and warned it could end negotiations. Economic Reforms: The African Development Bank approved $487 million to support Morocco’s reforms and climate resilience.

Government Investiture: Parliament approved Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri’s government program 204–127, completing its constitutional investiture. Debate exposed sharp divisions over the cost of living, corruption and public services; the RNI said it would vote against the plan, calling it a continuation of the previous government’s policies. 2027 Budget: Finance Minister Fouzi Lekjaa is due to present the first finance bill of El Mansouri’s government to a joint parliamentary session on Friday, opening scrutiny of its economic priorities. Western Sahara: A US draft on MINURSO has reportedly framed Moroccan autonomy as the basis for a settlement and proposed changes to the mission. The Polisario Front rejects the text and says it may withdraw from negotiations if it proceeds unchanged. Economic Support: The African Development Bank approved a $487 million loan to support Morocco’s structural reforms and economic resilience.

Economic Reform: The African Development Bank approved $487 million for Morocco’s third phase of economic-governance and climate-resilience reforms, aimed at boosting private investment and cushioning economic, energy and climate shocks. Government Program: Prime Minister Fatima Zahra El Mansouri is seeking Parliament’s confidence in a program targeting 5% average annual growth through 2031, inflation near 2%, and public debt of about 62% of GDP by 2031. Water Security: The government plans around 400 hydraulic structures and six new desalination plants, aiming to mobilize 1.8 billion cubic metres by 2031, while tightening groundwater controls and expanding wastewater reuse. Sahara Diplomacy: The United States will offer consular services in Laayoune for the first time in November, extending its outreach in Morocco’s southern provinces. Migration and Borders: Spain and Italy agreed to end checks imposed after the July migrant surge into Ceuta; the EU’s rights agency warned the crisis tested protections at the bloc’s external borders.

Public Health: A woman in her 70s died after reportedly waiting about 10 hours at Tata’s provincial hospital without antivenom or specialist care. Her death has sparked protests and renewed questions about emergency services. Government Agenda: Prime Minister Fatima Zahra Mansouri defended her new government’s program in Parliament as parties challenged its reform ambitions. Her government has also submitted the 2027 Finance Bill, with purchasing power and regional development among its stated priorities. Integrity: Morocco’s financial regulators and anti-corruption authority adopted a 2027–28 roadmap focused on training, integrity and acting on corruption-risk assessments. Ceuta Inquiry: A Spanish judge said there was no objective evidence linking Moroccan naval vessels to July’s mass migrant crossings, while seeking further information on ship movements.