Morocco's African Roots: Features, Effectiveness and Obstacles of the African Cultural Policies under King Muhammad VI

ABSTRACT: In the aftermath of the constitutional reform of 2011, which redefined the national identity of the Moroccan Kingdom, transitioning from the Arab identity established at independence to a pluralistic one, the monarchy has been engaged for over a decade in conveying to its citizens the importance of the country's 'African roots'. This process is closely linked to the Alawi dynasty's recent diplomatic policies, which demonstrate an increasing interest in developing relations with sub-Saharan African countries. The present article will illustrate some of the mechanisms implemented by the Moroccan government to incorporate an African dimension into the country's national identity, with a particular focus on cultural policies involving art, cinema, music, and publishing. It will then examine the potential impediments to the dissemination of a novel, more 'African' image of Morocco within Moroccan society, drawing attention to inconsistencies in the government's diplomatic and cultural policies.