Challenges of Moroccan Public Administration in the Southern Provinces: Exploring the Administrative Resilience Throughout the Sahrawi Case

Abstract

Morocco started advanced regionalization in 2015. Two of its 12 regions, respectively “Laayoune – Sakia Al Hamra” and “Dakhla-Oued Ddahab” are concerned by a dispute over territorial integrity with the North African neighbors. The conflict over Sahara started after its colonization by Spain in 1884. The Kingdom ended up signing Madrid agreements to administrate the Sahara. The conflict in the Sahara compromises the implementation of Moroccan reforms. Albeit expensive for Moroccan Government, the execution of economic and social development programs in the Sahara is going on. The study aims to address the question: What challenges does Moroccan Public Administration face in conflict-affected regions? The research seeks to enhance comprehension of administrative resilience amidst regional conflicts. The paper is qualitative with a case study of two conflict-affected regions: a status quo. The importance of this research stems from an attempt to show the reality of Moroccan Public Administration challenges in the Southern Provinces. This academic paper shows that the strong socio-economic development dynamism in the Sahara is a major component of regional peace and stability.