Rabat (GNP): King Mohammed VI has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Head of Government of Morocco, making her the first woman to lead the country’s government.
The King received El Mansouri, coordinator of the collective leadership of the Authenticity and Modernity Party, at the Royal Palace in Rabat on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. The Ministry of the Royal Household, Protocol and Chancellery confirmed the appointment in an official statement.
According to the ministry, the appointment was made under Article 47 of the Constitution. El Mansouri has also been entrusted with forming the new government.
Speaking to the press after the audience, she said she was honoured to have been received by the King and named to the post. She pledged to propose a government that meets the expectations of the monarch and of all citizens.
El Mansouri said the audience gave her the King’s high guidelines for managing the coming phase. She described the moment as historic and a source of pride for her and for women across the country.
She also pointed to the King’s consistent care for Moroccan women. In her view, her appointment sends a message encouraging women to help build a harmonious society alongside all its vital forces.
The milestone follows years of change in the status of Moroccan women since the King ascended the throne in 1999. Those changes span legal, political, economic and institutional areas, including the 2004 reform of the Moudawana, greater representation of women in institutions, and gradual access to senior roles in the diplomatic service and local government.
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The appointment drew a warm response from Pakistan, where First Lady Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari congratulated El Mansouri on becoming the first female prime minister of the Kingdom of Morocco. She expressed hope that the milestone would inspire women across the Muslim world to pursue leadership roles.
The First Lady said she felt a special connection with the moment as the daughter of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the former Pakistani leader and the first female prime minister of the Muslim world. She added that her mother’s pioneering journey continues to inspire generations of women in the Muslim world and beyond.
Bhutto Zardari also conveyed her greetings and good wishes to El Mansouri and the brotherly people of Morocco. She hoped the appointment would encourage women and girls to contribute to the progress and prosperity of their societies.
El Mansouri said, “This is a historic moment for our country.”
Managing Editor at Global News Pakistan (GNP), with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Riphah International University, graduated with a Gold Medal. Reach out at sabahtareengnp@gmail.com
