The Arab-Spring and Morocco

The Arab Spring designates a series of events that sparked revolutions in many Arab countries.  The catalyst was the December 17, 2010 self-immolation of a Tunisian vegetable seller. He set himself on fire in protest after the police tried to confiscate his cart because he did not have a permit.  This incident caused outrage and protests to spread nationwide. It inspired outraged citizens across Tunisia to revolt over their anger at the Tunisian  government’s failure to tackle the country’s social ills such as poverty, unemployment and gas prices.[1]

This single self-immolation was emulated in many Arab countries.  This was especially true in Morocco, where more men tried to imitate this street vendor than in any other Arab county.  Approximately twenty men with similar economic grievances lit themselves on fire in protest in Morocco, with five of the men dying.

In contrast, the Tunisian people revolted and exiled their prime minister, Ben Ali, whose wealth overshadowed that of his country, in part for his unwillingness to share his wealth or to assist the country in any way.  Just weeks after the exile, King Mohammed VI, the president of Morocco and a man with unthinkable wealth, unveiled a new constitution in which he gave rights back to the people of his country.   This new constitution gave up his rights as sovereign, but left him as Commander of the Faithful much like Britain’s Queen has remained the head of the Anglican Church.  He also was quick to hold parliamentary elections and declared Abdelilah Benkirane the prime Minister.[2]

Other Arab countries experienced revolutions that were much more violent. After the exile of Ben Ali, the discontent spread to Egypt followed by Yemen a few weeks later.  After an eighteen-day protest, the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, stepped down. The violence spread to Bahrain a few days later and Libya started to protest in the following days.  Less than a month later Libyan rebel leaders declared themselves the official representatives of their country. Shortly there after, the protests spread to Syria and the government tried to stay in charge.  The United Nations stepped in in Libya and asserted a no-fly zone.  Two days after this a NATO airstrike began. Within three months, the Yemen president, Saleh, who at this point was badly injured due to an explosion, left the country. Many violent acts continued and have had long term affects on much of the Arab world.[3]