A recent video of King Mohammed VI riding a jet ski in Cabo Negro has stirred debate across Morocco, reigniting questions about the monarch’s health and the transparency surrounding his public appearances.
The footage, widely shared on social media, shows the king enjoying the sea with his children at the exclusive northern resort. It comes only weeks after images emerged of the sovereign walking with the aid of a cane, appearing visibly frail. The contrast has sparked confusion and speculation among Moroccans.
For several years, the king’s health has been a matter of public concern. He has undergone multiple medical procedures, including heart surgery, and his appearances have become increasingly rare. In May, footage showing him walking with difficulty had raised widespread anxiety over his ability to govern. The recent jet ski images, therefore, came as a surprise.
“Speech is not only a tool of communication, but above all a weapon of construction, unity and change,” one official had said in a different context. But for many citizens, the central question now is one of coherence: how can a monarch recently portrayed as frail suddenly engage in a physically demanding activity without any apparent discomfort?
The episode has given rise to online theories, with some suggesting — without evidence — that the man filmed might not have been the king at all but a lookalike. Such claims, though speculative, underscore a wider erosion of trust in official communications.
Cabo Negro, known for its private beaches and luxury residences, is a stark contrast to the everyday struggles of many Moroccans facing rising prices, a housing crisis, and high unemployment. The images have therefore struck a nerve, highlighting tensions between royal privilege and public hardship.
Critics argue that Morocco’s monarchy, long lauded for its informal and people-focused image, risks losing credibility if it continues to rely on symbolic appearances rather than transparent communication. As one commentator put it: “Jet-ski or no jet-ski, it is transparency that is lacking.”
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