Morocco: Moulay Hassan has reached the age of majority

The Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Morocco, Moulay El Hassan, son of King Mohammed VI and Princess Lalla Salma, will reach the age of majority in less than two weeks, in a context marked by the not-so-great health of the sovereign of this North African country.

In Morocco, Law No. 74-631 of 5 July 1974 sets the age of civil majority at 18 years, which was already the age of criminal majority at the time, before it was reduced to 16 years. This is not a question of justice, but rather of politics, in the North African country of Morocco, which is governed by the monarchy, i.e. a devolution of power from father to son.

And it is in this context that, as much as Mohammed VI inherited power from his father, the late King Hassan II, the 23rd sovereign of the Alaouite dynasty will have to hand over the reins of Morocco to his son and worthy heir, Prince Moulay El Hassan. This transfer of power between father and son had been raised recently, but the context did not lend itself to it yet, as the crown prince is not old enough to hope to lead the kingdom, despite the circumstances.

The increasingly poor health of King Mohammed VI, especially after the latest operation on his heart in his palace in Rabat, had pushed opinion to evoke a probable premature succession of the sovereign, who has become frail under the weight of age, but also of the heavy burdens borne in trying to protect the Moroccan people from any threat, whether health or terrorist.

Moulay Hassan is not yet 18 years old, so the question of the devolution of power has been filed away. However, in a fortnight’ time, the Moroccan Crown Prince will be 18, having been born on 8 May 2003, the age required to be declared an adult. The age that gives him the prerogatives to govern the kingdom of Morocco. Is King Mohammed VI ready to hand over? That is the question.

But one thing is certain, Moulay El Hassan, as young as he may be, is experienced in the task. Having taken part in major events, this heir of the King of Morocco has capitalized on an experience that many leaders did not have when they came to power. Indeed, Moulay Hassan has, alongside his father, sometimes alone, represented Morocco, inside and outside the kingdom. Wasn’t he the one who attended the funeral of the former French President, Jacques Chirac, at the end of September 2019?

Moulay El Hassan was also at the commemoration of the Armistice, on 11 November 2018, in France, sitting next to Donald Trump, former President of the United States. The inherited prince, it was also him who took charge of welcoming the British royal couple, Harry and Meghan Markle, during their stay in Morocco, on 25 February 2019. Admittedly young, but seasoned in politics and diplomacy. What will happen to the succession of King Mohammed VI?