Morocco

Government data suggests that the Moroccan security forces remain on top of the local recruitment of jihadists to Islamic State (IS) and other terrorist networks, and that local intelligence will limit further serious attacks on tourist sites within Morocco. By the end of 2017, Morocco’s security services had reportedly intercepted and detained a total of nine terrorist networks, 186 terrorists and 20 jihadists returning to Morocco from conflict zones in Libya, Syria and Iraq.

However, the risk of domestic infiltration, particularly in areas of high unemployment and official neglect remains high, although notably not within the civil protest movement in Al Hoceima.

The still-unresolved status of the Western Sahara — over which Morocco has claimed sovereignty since the mid-1970s — continues to act as a drag on external diplomatic energies and resources. This issue has little prospect of being resolved in 2018.

Morocco will remain a stable and relatively dynamic economic partner in 2018, but frustration about inequality, territorial imbalances and a sense of underachievement against its own vision of economic development will remain. King Mohamed VI admitted as much in a speech in October 2017, surprising many observers by saying that ‘our national development model no longer responds to citizens’ growing demands and pressing needs; it has not been able to reduce disparities between segments of the population, correct inter-regional imbalances or achieve social justice.’

Morocco’s exports continue to diversify faster than that of its neighbours, above all the hydrocarbon-dependent Algeria, which is now facing stiff competition from Morocco’s overtures to Chinese investors.

1. Morocco’s success in attracting offshore automotive assembly plants now means that cars represent Morocco’s largest export.
2. Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD has recently joined Samsung’s plans to establish electric car manufacturing plants in the Tangler free zone.
3. Aerospace also remains a key sector for expansion, with plans to more than double existing jobs from 11,500 to 34,500 by 2020.