King Mohammed VI's throne speech evokes 1961 memory of King Mohammed V for former minister Abdel Salam Sadiki

In his annual throne speech, King Mohammed VI affirmed that his aim is to serve the Moroccan people rather than pursue personal glory or international titles. Former minister and economist Abdel Salam Sadiki said a passage of the speech reminded him of a scene from 1961, when the death of King Mohammed V was announced in his remote village. He recalled villagers shouting, “The king has died… who will take care of us, the poor?”

Sadiki explained that the king’s words revived that childhood memory and underscored the long‑standing trust many Moroccans place in the monarchy. He added that while Morocco has made significant economic and infrastructural progress since the 1960s, social disparities and vulnerability remain, keeping the public’s expectations on state institutions high.