The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates is the Moroccan government ministry responsible for the conduct of the country's foreign relations, the implementation of foreign policy, and the management of diplomatic and consular relations with foreign states and international organizations. It also oversees aspects of Morocco's cooperation with African states and matters relating to Moroccan citizens residing abroad. It is commonly described as one of the kingdom's "ministries of sovereignty", alongside the ministries responsible for the interior, defence and religious affairs.
The ministry is headquartered in Rabat. Since 5 April 2017, it has been headed by Nasser Bourita and has borne its current name since a cabinet reshuffle in 2019.
History The ministry was established by Dahir No. 1-56-097 of 26 April 1956, a few months after the formation of the government of Mbarek Bekkay. It became one of the principal institutions through which the newly independent Moroccan state organized its diplomatic representation abroad and conducted relations with foreign governments.
Over time, the department's structure and name evolved in line with changes in the organization of the Moroccan government and the expanding scope of its diplomatic activity. In addition to bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, its remit came to include African cooperation and policies relating to Moroccan expatriate communities. The ministry obtained its current name following a cabinet shuffle in 2019.
Organization and structure The ministry is headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates. Its central administration is organized around a number of directorates responsible for bilateral relations, regional affairs, multilateral diplomacy, international economic cooperation, legal affairs, consular affairs, protocol, public diplomacy, human resources and administrative support.
The ministry is supported by a diplomatic and consular network composed of embassies, consulates-general and permanent missions. It also includes structures dedicated to training and professional development, including the Moroccan Academy of Diplomatic Studies.
List of ministers Minister Term start Term end Ahmed Balafrej 1956 1958 Abdallah Ibrahim 1958 1960 Driss M'Hammedi 1960 1961 Ahmed Balafrej 1961 1963 1963 1964 1964 1967 Ahmed Laraki 1967 1971 Abdellatif Filali 1971 1972 Ahmed Taibi Benhima 1972 1974 Ahmed Laraki 1974 1977 M'hamed Boucetta 1977 1983 Abdelouahed Belkeziz 1983 1985 Abdellatif Filali 1985 1999 Mohamed Benaissa 1999 15 October 2007 Taieb Fassi Fihri 15 October 2007 3 January 2012 Saad-Eddine El Othmani 3 January 2012 10 October 2013 Salaheddine Mezouar 10 October 2013 5 April 2017 Nasser Bourita 5 April 2017 present
See also Diplomatic missions of Morocco Foreign relations of Morocco Government of Morocco
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