Morocco

 

Women’s Rights Stir Controversy

March 30, 2000
Women’s Rights Stir Controversy

Half a million Muslim ultraconservatives march in Casablanca to oppose government’s extension of women’s rights. 250,000 supporters of women’s rights march in Rabat.

Morocco Meets Climate Goals

November 30, 2001
Morocco Meets Climate Goals

Morocco reaches agreement on climate control to set mandatory targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Muhammed VI Visits Western Sahara

November 30, 2001
Muhammed VI Visits Western Sahara

Moroccan King Mohammed VI tours Western Sahara, stirring controversy with Sahrawi opposition groups.

Morocco and Spain Dispute Over Island

July 1, 2002
Morocco and Spain Dispute Over Island

Morocco and Spain agree to U.S.-led negotiations concerning a dispute over the island of Perejil in the Mediterranean Sea. Previously, Moroccan troops planted a flag on the uninhabited island, and Spain responded by sending soldiers to take the island back.

Terror in Morocco

February 1, 2003
Terror in Morocco

Through May, Casablanca jails three al-Qaeda members, eliciting a wave of terrorist bombings that kill more than 40 people.

Morocco Named Major U.S. Ally

July 8, 2004
Morocco Named Major U.S. Ally

Morocco is designated by the U.S. as a major non-NATO ally, with a free trade agreement following.

Morocco Deports Hundreds of African Migrants

September 11, 2005
Morocco Deports Hundreds of African Migrants

The government deports hundreds of African migrants who attempt to cross illegally into Spanish enclaves.

Spain Visits its Enclaves

January 30, 2006
Spain Visits its Enclaves

Spanish Premier visits Spanish enclaves in Morocco,  the first time a Spanish leader visits the territories.

Suicide Bombings in Morocco

March 30, 2007
Suicide Bombings in Morocco

Multiple waves of suicide bombers attack Casablanca through March and April.

Istiqlal Wins Elections

September 30, 2007
Istiqlal Wins Elections

Parliamentary elections favor conservative Istiqlal Party.

Casablanca Terrorists Arrested

April 28, 2008
Casablanca Terrorists Arrested

Two Moroccan terrorists involved with the Casablanca bombings are arrested in Spain.

Al-Qaeda Leader Jailed

July 31, 2009
Al-Qaeda Leader Jailed

Alleged al-Qaeda leader in Morocco, Abdelkader Belliraj, is imprisoned for life for committing six murders in Belgium.

Arab Spring in Morocco

February 28, 2011
Arab Spring in Morocco

Through July, thousands of protesters call for parliamentary reforms. King Mohammed VI updates constitution, but demonstrations continue to press for deeper reforms.

PJD Wins Elections in Morocco

November 30, 2011
PJD Wins Elections in Morocco

New parliamentary elections are won by the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD).

Western Sahara Protests

November 30, 2011
Western Sahara Protests

Security forces assault a protest camp in the disputed territory of West Sahara, triggering violent demonstrations.

Moroccan Coalition

January 31, 2012
Moroccan Coalition

New coalition led by the Justice and Development Party begins office. Months later tens of thousands of protesters rally and accuse the PJD of not delivering on their platforms.

Cancels Military Exercises with US

April 30, 2013
Cancels Military Exercises with US

Morocco cancels joint military exercises with the U.S. as latter supports UN monitoring of human rights in the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

New Moroccan Government

October 31, 2013
New Moroccan Government

King Mohammed VI appoints a new government after discovery of internal failings of the JDP.

Morocco Won’t Cooperate

February 28, 2014
Morocco Won’t Cooperate

Halts French judicial cooperation after Paris accuses Morocco’s intelligence chief of complicity in torture.  

Migrant Camps Destroyed

February 28, 2015
Migrant Camps Destroyed

Government officials destroy migrant camps near Spanish enclave of Melilla as migrants attempt to enter Europe.

IS in Morocco

March 31, 2015
IS in Morocco

The government reports its involvement in the breaking up of Islamic State support networks that have spread to Morocco.

Morocco Protest

March 30, 2016
Morocco Protest

As many as one million Moroccans protest after UN Secretary-General refers to Moroccan involvement in the Western Sahara as “occupation.”

Protests Erupt over Fish Vendor’s Death

October 30, 2016
Protests Erupt over Fish Vendor’s Death

Protests erupt across Morocco after the death of a fish vendor who was crushed by a garbage compactor, while trying to save swordfish that was allegedly confiscated by police. He became the face of the protest movement over the long-standing economic and social marginalization of the Rif region.

Prime Minister dismissed

March 15, 2017
Prime Minister dismissed

King Mohammed dismisses head of government Abdelilah Benkirane from his post as prime minister after five months of failed negotiations to form a coalition government.

Diplomatic ties cut with Iran

May 1, 2018
Diplomatic ties cut with Iran

Rabat severs ties with Iran over its alleged funding and support of the Polisario Front in Western Sahara.

Moroccans protests U.S. embassy move

May 20, 2018
Moroccans protests U.S. embassy move

Over 10,000 Moroccans took to the streets to protests the United States’ decision to move their embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.