2021 in Morocco explained

See also: 2021 in North Africa.

Events in the year 2021 in Morocco. Rebels have declared the independence of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in the general area of Western Sahara.

Incumbents

• King: Mohammed VI
• President of the Government: Saadeddine Othmani (until 7 October), Aziz Akhannouch (since 7 October)

Events

See also: COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco.

January and February

• 9 January – David Schenker, assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs, and the highest-ranking U.S. diplomat for North Africa and the Middle East, visits Western Sahara.^[1]
• 15 January – U.S. President Donald Trump is awarded the Order of Muhammad.^[2] Trump awards King Mohammed VI the Legion of Merit, degree of Chief Commander.^[3]
• 8 February
  • A social media campaign begins to reverse two articles of the penal code that outlaw sex outside of marriage after a victim of revenge porn is fined.^[4]
  • At least twenty-four people are killed when rain floods an illegal underground factory in Tangier.^[5]
• 25 February – Morocco is one of four countries added to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) list of places that are only partially in compliance with international efforts against financing terrorism and money laundering.^[6]

March and April

• 2 March – Morocco cuts off communication with the ambassador of Germany to Morocco following German criticism of the government's stance on Western Sahara.^[7]
• 11 March – The government approves a bill that would legalize nonrecreational uses of marijuana.^[8]

July and August

• 26 August – Start of the 2021 Moroccan general election campaigns.^[9]

September and October

• 8 September
  • In the general election, the National Rally of Independents (RNI), led by businessman Aziz Akhannouch, wins a plurality of 97 seats in the House of Representatives, followed by the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) with 82 seats and the Istiqlal Party with 78 seats.^[10]
  • The ruling Justice and Development Party (PJD) is projected to win only 12 seats.
  • Voter turnout is estimated at 50.3%, up from 43% in 2016.
• 22 September – Aziz Akhannouch announces that the RNI will form a coalition with the PAM and the Istiqlal Party.^[11]
• 7 October – Members of Aziz Akhannouch's cabinet are sworn in at the Royal Palace in Fez, in the presence of King Mohammed VI.^[12]

Scheduled events

See also: Public holidays in Morocco.

Sports

• 26 March–4 April — Tour du Maroc
• July – Morocco is scheduled to host the 2021 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.^[13]

Deaths

January to June

• 1 January – Abderrahim Lahjouji, 79, construction executive and politician, founder of the Citizens' Forces.^[14]
• 6 February – Abdelkhalek Louzani, 75, footballer (Anderlecht, K.V.V. Crossing Elewijt, Olympic Charleroi); COVID-19.^[15]
• 20 March – Mohamed Ismaïl, 69, film director (Goodbye Mothers).^[16]
• 5 April – Haja El Hamdaouia, 91, singer-songwriter.^[17]

July to December

See also

• Western Sahara
• Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
• COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
• 2020s
• African Union
• Berber languages
• Arab League
• Morocco–United States relations

Notes and References

1. News: January 9, 2021. US diplomat visits Western Sahara after Morocco-Israel deal. Al Jazeera English. January 9, 2021.
2. News: Holland. Steve. 15 January 2021. Trump receives Morocco's highest award for Middle East work: official. Reuters. live. 15 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210812025827/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-morocco-idUSKBN29K2GK. 12 August 2021.
3. News: 16 January 2021. Outgoing Trump fetes Morocco king, rallies behind claim. France 24. Agence France-Presse. live. 15 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125180158/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210116-outgoing-trump-fetes-morocco-king-rallies-behind-claim. 25 January 2021.
4. News: Hajjaji. Danya. 8 February 2021. Jailing of Revenge Porn Victim in Morocco Sparks Calls to Change Sex Laws. Newsweek. 8 February 2021.
5. News: February 8, 2021. At least 24 dead in Morocco underground factory flood. Barron's. Agence France-Presse. live. February 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211024011621/https://www.barrons.com/news/at-least-24-dead-in-morocco-underground-factory-flood-01612809315. 24 October 2021.
6. News: Ganley. Elaine. 25 February 2021. Senegal, Morocco, Caymans added to terror finance watch list. Associated Press. live. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211024012140/https://apnews.com/article/world-news-pakistan-iran-terrorism-funding-senegal-f3d65a508f05656dff76d1996d3f7e8d. 24 October 2021.
7. News: 2 March 2021. Morocco cuts contact with German embassy – reports. Deutsche Welle. live. 2 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210720082629/https://www.dw.com/en/morocco-cuts-contact-with-german-embassy-reports/a-56741809. 20 July 2021.
8. News: El Barakah. Tarik. 11 March 2021. Morocco moves toward legalizing medical marijuana. Associated Press. live. March 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210317161821/https://apnews.com/article/africa-medical-marijuana-marijuana-north-africa-morocco-4fc70930e8df590bc9c079572d7d9bee. 17 March 2021.
9. 27 August 2021 . Au Maroc, début de campagne pour les élections de septembre . . 17 September 2022.
10. News: Eljechtimi . Ahmed . 2021-09-09 . Liberals win most seats in Morocco's parliamentary election, routing Islamists . en . Reuters . 2022-09-09.
11. Web site: Kasraoui . Safaa . 2021-09-22 . Morocco's Akhannouch Announces RNI, PAM, Al Istiqlal as Government Coalition . 2022-09-09 . Morocco World News . en.
12. Web site: 2021-10-08 . HM the King Chairs Appointment Ceremony of New Government Members . 2022-09-09 . Maroc.ma . en.
13. News: Decisions of CAF Executive Meeting – 30 June 2020 . January 17, 2021 . CAFOnline.com . CAF News . June 30, 2020 . en.
14. https://mobile.ledesk.ma/encontinu/deces-de-abderrahim-lahjouji-ex-president-de-la-cgem/ Décès de Abderrahim Lahjouji, ex-président de la CGEM
15. https://www.lesiteinfo.com/sport/football-marocain-abdelkhalek-louzani-succombe-au-covid-19/ Football marocain: Abdelkhalek Louzani succombe au covid-19
16. https://fr.le360.ma/culture/le-realisateur-et-scenariste-mohamed-ismail-est-decede-235529 Le réalisateur et scénariste Mohamed Ismaïl est décédé
17. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2021/04/338935/iconic-moroccan-singer-haja-el-hamdaouia-dies-at-91/ Iconic Moroccan Singer Haja El Hamdaouia Dies at 91