A selfie taken by Morocco’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdelssamad Keiyouh, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the Global Transport Connectivity Forum in Istanbul, stirred widespread public reaction. Posted briefly on the minister’s account before being removed, the photo became more than a protocol issue—it raised critical questions about the blurry line between official representation and personal expression.
A personal act in an official setting
While some might interpret the gesture as warm and humanizing, others argue that a minister, acting on behalf of the Moroccan government and signing bilateral memoranda, must maintain institutional restraint. The selfie, taken in close proximity to a head of state, risked undermining the seriousness of the Moroccan delegation’s presence.
Deletion as an admission of error
The swift removal of the post suggests that even the minister acknowledged its inappropriateness. The incident points to a broader gap in communication protocols for Moroccan officials abroad: Are their actions guided by formal strategy, or are they left to individual discretion?
A broader issue of governance and communication
This controversy sheds light on a deeper issue: the absence of formal guidelines for how Moroccan ministers should behave in international forums. The situation underscores the need for clear institutional direction on symbolic representation and media conduct.
Public reaction: divided interpretations
Some defended the act as a moment of humanity that added a personal touch to diplomacy. Others, however, saw it as a lapse in judgment that could overshadow Morocco’s strategic positioning. In today’s interconnected media landscape, symbols and gestures carry as much weight as formal agreements.
The image and Morocco’s international credibility
Morocco’s foreign policy is known for its balanced and measured approach. The selfie episode, though short-lived, prompts an important question: how can Morocco maintain its diplomatic seriousness while allowing room for authentic expression?
The answer may lie in reinforcing institutional communication codes that align with Morocco’s international ambitions, ensuring that every act—however small—supports, rather than undermines, the country’s global image.
