King Mohammed VI approved a government where politically non-affiliated ministers took key security, defense, foreign affairs and religious affairs portfolios while Ministers of liberal RNI maintained their positions in Key economic ministries. The new government includes 39 members: 20 ministers, 6 junior ministers and 13 state secretaries. The cabinet has only one women minister, Bassima Hakkaoui of the PJD who holds the portfolio of Family, Solidarity and Equality. In total the PJD has 11 members, including 4 state secretaries, but did not take any of the strategic ministries despite their electoral victory in October 7 elections. RNI members of the previous government retained their posts such as Agriculture Minister, head of the RNI, Aziz Akhannouch, Economy Minister Mohamed Boussaid and Minister of Trade and Industry Moulay Hafid Elalamy.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 06, 2017 15:00 UTC