Morocco’s moment
The Moroccan vote for constitutional reforms is likely to set the pace for the country’s future political course. The voting comes as part of the proposal by King Mohammed VI that cedes more power to the parliament and the prime minister.
Perceived as a pre-emptive move to thwart any chances of an implosion on the lines of Tunisia and Egypt, it brought about contradictory reactions. It is a welcome development that more than 98 per cent of people have voted in favour of the reforms, and would go a long way in buoying a powerful political dispensation under the prime minister, with the king solemnly exercising his powers as the figure-head of the kingdom.
For the youth-led February 20 Movement, the proposal is an eyewash since they feel that even under the new system, no true separation of powers will exist as the king will continue to retain control of the country’s foreign and security policy.
What will change and what is regarded as a positive move, is the allocation of more power to the prime minister who will be selected from the majority party and will be the head of the government, hitherto a title reserved for the monarch. To date, in Morocco it was the king who had absolute authority to appoint anyone as the premier. By giving the people the right to vote for or against the proposed reforms, Morocco has gained wide-ranging international support from the United Nations, the European Union and the United States. What is significant is that the right steps are taken at the right time with the least danger to internal stability.
It is felt that those who have contentions regarding the proposed changes settle this politically in the electorate arena and through dialogue with the government. For those who are insisting on a total overhaul, including the removal of King Mohammed, must also understand that the king enjoys immense support and is a popular ruler who has implemented some important social reforms as well. The allegations surrounding the judiciary being non-independent and restrictions on media are issues that can be worked at, without resorting to violence.
It is, therefore, vital for the Moroccan people to take this opportunity and work for a peaceful transition to political reform. Only by participating politically can they achieve further changes that will deliver a strong and just Morocco.
Gaddafi’s insensitivity
Muammar Gaddafi has come full circle. Hardly 100 days ago, the Libyan leader was busy assuring the West that he is the last of the Bohemians who is acting as a bulwark against Al Qaeda and the like, and his possible exit will be a threat to Europe.
Now, in a breathless sermon, Gaddafi vows to revenge the West and unleash a series of attacks inside the heartland of Europe. So much so for real-politicks! In a surprising propaganda blitz, the embattled leader said that “homes, offices and families” would be targetted, unless NATO’s ongoing operations come to an end. In saying so he might have indicated his nervousness with the onslaught against him, and was probably resorting to the art of playing to the gallery in adversity.
To what extent people are willing to rally with him, as he dubs the Western sorties, as part of crusades against a Muslim polity is hard to guess. But taking into account the level of marginalisation that has set in Libyan politics, and the way people are fed up with his four decades rule, such clarion calls would hardly matter. Yet, it goes without saying that politics of brinkmanship has slid the North African country into an abyss of warfare, which has divided it into two ungovernable halves. This is exploding the country into a host of crisis that range from exodus across the borders to food shortages, lack of governmental writ and acute lawlessness.
Gaddafi would have done better had he tried to address the real issues, rather than big mouthing against the West. It is a known fact that dictators and unpopular leaders often resort to address the constituencies beyond their reach in an effort to prolong their rule at home on sympathy grounds. So this Libyan patriarch is no different. But will his adamant politics make any difference, as long as protecting the country from violation of its sovereignty and restoring normalcy remains the biggest question to be answered. Gaddafi, apparently, is unmindful to such exigencies of state politics, and is more concerned with staying put in power.
Taking the battle across the borders is no leadership, and a weakened Gaddafi certainly doesn’t have those means. But his trumpeted speech has made Libyans’ vulnerable to reactionary trends from the West — and the world at large.
Gaddafi should worry about Libyans who are under attack, rather than plotting to attack the West.
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