As thousands crossed into Ceuta during Morocco’s main holiday, King Mohamed VI remained out of sight. His continued silence during social and migration crises is fueling new debate.
On the 27th anniversary of Mohamed VI’s reign, Morocco’s northern border erupted in chaos. Tens of thousands of young Moroccans rushed into Ceuta, creating the largest migration crisis with Spain in decades. The king, who holds sweeping executive power, did not appear publicly or address the situation, instead continuing his summer retreat on the Mediterranean coast. European sources estimate that 70,000 to 80,000 people took part in the Ceuta border crossing, making it the biggest such event in recent memory. Spain’s National Court has opened a criminal investigation into the July crisis, which could bring new details about the role of Moroccan authorities.
This pattern of silence is familiar. In recent years, Mohamed VI has made fewer public appearances, even as Morocco faces growing unrest, economic inequality, and repeated migration waves. He governs from a distance, rarely speaks, and leaves public decisions to a small group of trusted advisors. His last in-person media interview was in 2005, a sharp contrast to his father Hasán II, who regularly spoke to the press.
Declassified Spanish intelligence reports revealed that authorities were warned of a planned mass border crossing into Ceuta one day before the crisis began.
Despite his low profile, Mohamed VI’s control is absolute. He personally oversees the military, security, and foreign policy, while the Royal Cabinet and close figures like Fuad Alí el Himma and Abdelatif Hamuchi handle daily affairs. The king also serves as Morocco’s religious leader. Even after the 2011 constitutional reforms, he kept direct command over defense, security, and diplomacy, leaving the prime minister with limited real power. Recent reports confirm that the monarchy remains the true center of authority, especially in defense, foreign policy, and religious matters.
Morocco has changed dramatically since Mohamed VI became king in 1999. The country now has Africa’s only high-speed trains, modern highways, and a 5G network. Major projects like the Tanger Med port and new terminals in Dajla and Nador have helped make Morocco a regional economic hub. Morocco is now the EU’s top car exporter, ahead of Japan. But these achievements hide deep divides: the richest 10% of Moroccans control eleven times more wealth than the poorest 10%, and rural areas still lag far behind the coast.
Spanish police reports and leaked documents have highlighted the alleged passivity of Moroccan border forces during the Ceuta crisis, with some sources suggesting possible cooperation by certain units. However, the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially denied any involvement, urging that no conclusions be drawn before investigations are complete.
Social tensions have boiled over more than once. The Rif region saw major protests in 2016 and 2017, leading to hundreds of arrests. In 2025, young people across the country demonstrated for better healthcare, education, and action against corruption. The state responded quickly and harshly: over 1,500 prosecuted, three killed by police in Agadir, and sentences up to 15 years. The king’s involvement was limited to selective pardons, not public statements.
Migration pressure remains high. The Arab Barometer found that 35% of Moroccans have considered leaving for Europe or North America, and more than half would migrate irregularly. The Ceuta border incident happened during Morocco’s most important national holiday, but the king made no official comment. Instead, he led a religious ceremony in Rabat, where historical claims to Spanish enclaves were hinted at. The European Commission reports that Spain received €114.7 million in emergency aid to manage the Ceuta situation, showing that the EU sees the crisis as a European problem.
Mohamed VI’s personal life has also drawn attention. He was educated in Morocco and France, speaks several languages, survived a coup attempt as a child, and married Salma Bennani, the first commoner to become a princess in the Alawite dynasty. Their divorce in 2018 did not change her public role as mother to the heir, Hasán, and his sister Lala Jadiya. The king’s health has declined after two heart surgeries and accidents that affected his mobility, further limiting his public presence.
Early in his reign, Mohamed VI introduced reforms, including changes to the Family Code that improved women’s rights but left loopholes for polygamy and child marriage. A new revision has been stalled since 2024. The royal family’s business interests, managed by the Al Mada Foundation, dominate sectors from banking to supermarkets, with Forbes estimating assets at over €5 billion.
On the diplomatic front, Mohamed VI has scored key wins. The US recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020, and Spain shifted its position in 2022 to support Morocco’s autonomy plan for the territory, sidelining the Polisario Front and Algeria. These moves have strengthened Morocco’s international standing but have not eased domestic frustrations.
Even as the king spends months abroad—in France, Gabon, and the UAE—his popularity at home remains strong. Many Moroccans still see him as the final authority, a quiet figure who prefers to act behind the scenes. But his habit of avoiding direct engagement during crises, from the Ceuta border to youth protests, points to a monarchy that is increasingly distant from daily life in Morocco.
Morocco has been transformed under Mohamed VI, but the country is now split between modernity and stagnation, prosperity and exclusion. The king’s style of silent rule and selective intervention has brought stability and growth, but at the cost of transparency and public trust. As migration rises and unrest continues, it is unclear how long the king’s silence can hold the country together.
