Morocco Islamists challenge monarchy, hint at political comeback

For the first time in years, Morocco’s leading Islamist movement, Al Adl Wal Ihsane (AWI), has openly questioned the legitimacy of the monarchy, sparking speculation about its potential entry into the political arena after decades of a boycott.

According to the New Arab, in a podcast last week senior AWI figure Omar Amkassou criticised Morocco’s monarchy, stating: “A hereditary monarchy cannot be the basis for a true solution. It goes against the people’s will.” He reiterated the teachings of the group’s late founder, Imam Abdessalam Yassine, who opposed monarchies as serving elite interests over public welfare.

Amkassou outlined the group’s vision: “We want a system where power is decentralised, wealth is shared, and the rights of the people are respected.”

Founded in 1981, AWI has long rejected electoral politics, labelling the system “corrupt” and focusing on change through NGOs. However, a 150-page political document released in February 2024 is seen by analysts as signalling a possible shift toward participating in Morocco’s 2026 legislative elections.

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The group has gained popularity since 2023, rallying support through pro-Palestinian protests and addressing social and political issues. This has attracted citizens disillusioned by the “moderate” Justice and Development Party (PJD), after then Secretary-General and Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani signed the 2020 normalisation agreement with Israel and alienated many supporters.

Amid rising unemployment and economic struggles, Amkassou has called for collaboration across political divides, saying: “Real change requires the efforts of everyone. We cannot do it alone.”

In August last year, a report by Algerian newspaper Echorouk quoted Jacob Mundy, an associate professor and head of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at Colgate University in the US, as saying that the monarchy in Morocco “has suffered and continues to suffer from an ongoing legitimacy crisis in recent years due to its failure to confront the repercussions of the devastating September 2023 earthquake.”

This crisis, the outlet says, has been furthered by Rabat’s continued support for the occupation state during its genocidal war on Gaza, despite widespread rejection by the Moroccan people.

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