Moroccan government reshuffle : Key Ministers stay, new Secretaries appointed

The long-awaited cabinet reshuffle has finally taken place. On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, King Mohammed VI received Aziz Akhannouch and the members of his new government in the Throne Room at the Royal Palace in Rabat.

Abdelouafi Laftit remains Minister of the Interior, Nasser Bourita continues as Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Resident Abroad, Abdellatif Ouahbi (PAM) retains the Justice portfolio, and Ahmed Toufiq stays in charge of Habous and Islamic Affairs. Mohamed Hajoui remains Secretary General of the Government, and Abdellatif Loudiyi continues as Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of National Defense Administration.

The key ministerial departments were largely unaffected by the reshuffle. Nadia Fettah Alaoui of the RNI stays on as Minister of Economy and Finance, while Nizar Baraka of Istiqlal retains the Ministry of Equipment and Water.

Integration of Secretaries of State

A notable change in the Akhannouch II cabinet is the addition of six Secretaries of State: Zakia Driouich (RNI) takes on Maritime Fisheries, reporting to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Water and Forests; Omar Hejira (Istiqlal) is responsible for Foreign Trade, reporting to the Minister of Industry and Trade; Adib Benbrahim (PAM) oversees Housing, reporting to the Minister of National Planning, Urban Development, Housing, and Urban Policy; Hicham Sabiry (PAM) is in charge of Employment, reporting to the Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment, and Skills; Lahcen Essaadi (RNI) handles Crafts and the Social Solidarity Economy, reporting to the Minister of Tourism, Crafts, and the Social Solidarity Economy; and Abdeljebbar Rachidi (Istiqlal) is tasked with Social Integration, reporting to the Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and the Family.

Each Secretary of State will work under the supervision of a minister from their respective party.

This reshuffle also saw the departure of several ministers. Mohamed Sadiki (RNI), a close associate of Aziz Akhannouch, has handed over the Ministry of Agriculture to Ahmed Bouari. Abdellatif Miraoui (PAM) has been replaced by Azzedine El Midaoui as head of the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation. Khalid Aït Taleb also departs, with Amine Tahraoui taking over the Ministry of Health. Lastly, the Department of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies has returned to Karim Zidane, replacing Mohcine Jazouli.