This anniversary holds a firm place in the national memory as the culmination of a long history of resistance and national struggle waged by Moroccans since the imposition of the Protectorate in 1912. They confronted colonial ambitions through heroic battles across the Kingdom, including the Battle of El Herri in the Middle Atlas Mountains in 1914, the Battle of Anoual in the Rif region between 1921 and 1926, the Battle of Bougafer in Ouarzazate, the Battle of Jbel Badou in Errachidia in 1933, and numerous other acts of resistance that demonstrated the Moroccan people’s unwavering commitment to freedom and their rejection of colonial rule.

Alongside armed resistance, national and political action developed through mobilization, the dissemination of national awareness, and the defense of the legitimate rights of the Moroccan people. These efforts culminated in the presentation of the Independence Manifesto on January 11, 1944. This document marked a decisive turning point in the national struggle and embodied the unity of purpose between the Throne and the national movement in demanding Morocco’s freedom and independence.

The visit of His Majesty the late King Mohammed V to Tangier on April 9, 1947, and his historic speech, in which he affirmed Morocco’s aspirations for independence and national unity, marked a significant turning point in the escalation of the national struggle. It reinforced the Throne’s position as the embodiment of the Moroccan people’s aspirations and the defender of their sovereignty and unity.

Faced with the rising tide of nationalism and the growing cohesion between the Throne, the national movement, and the Moroccan people, the Protectorate authorities resorted to a policy of repression and manipulation. This culminated on August 20, 1953, in the exile of the hero of liberation and independence, His Majesty the late King Mohammed V, and the Sharifian royal family, under the mistaken belief that removing the symbol of national sovereignty would extinguish the flame of resistance and weaken Moroccan unity.

However, this colonial measure backfired. The Moroccan people rose up across the Kingdom, acts of resistance and self-sacrifice intensified, clandestine cells were formed, and demonstrations and protests escalated. The exile became a spark that ignited the national struggle and further strengthened the close bond between the Throne and the people.

In this context, a number of patriots and resistance fighters fell as martyrs for their country, most notably Allal Ben Abdellah, who carried out his heroic operation on September 11, 1953. Martyr Mohamed Zerktouni and his comrades in the Casablanca resistance cells continued their operations against the occupying authorities, alongside resistance fighters and mujahideen in various Moroccan cities and villages, before this struggle culminated in the launch of Liberation Army operations in the north of the Kingdom in October 1955.

Faced with the steadfastness of the Moroccan people and the escalating resistance, the colonial authorities were forced to submit to the will of the Throne and the people. His Majesty the late King Mohammed V and the Sharifian royal family returned to the homeland on November 16, 1955, heralding the restoration of independence. The Kingdom then entered a new phase of building an independent state and embarking on the broader struggle to achieve economic and social development and strengthen the foundations of national sovereignty.

The process of completing the Kingdom’s territorial integrity continued, with His Majesty the late King Hassan II, following in the footsteps of his revered father, leading the effort to achieve this unity. During his reign, Tarfaya was recovered on April 15, 1958, and Sidi Ifni on June 30, 1969. This journey culminated in the triumphant Green March of 1975, which exemplified a wise and civilized approach to the peaceful pursuit of the restoration of rights. The march led to the departure of the last foreign soldier from the Moroccan Sahara on February 28, 1976, and the recovery of the Oued Ed-Dahab region on August 14, 1979.

While the Revolution of the King and the People was once an epic of liberation from colonialism and the restoration of sovereignty, its values and significance remain present today in Morocco’s journey under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This is manifested in the continued building of a modern and progressive Morocco, the consolidation of the foundations of economic and social development, the strengthening of the Kingdom’s regional and international standing, and the defense of its territorial integrity and supreme national interests.

This national anniversary provides an opportunity to recall the profound lessons of this epic struggle, foremost among them the values of patriotism, sacrifice, loyalty, and adherence to fundamental principles and sacred values. It also serves as an inspiration to continue the journey of nation-building and development and to defend the Kingdom’s supreme interests, embodying the enduring and strong bond between the Throne and the people—a bond that has remained, throughout modern Moroccan history, a cornerstone of the country’s unity, stability, and sovereignty.

The Revolution of the King and the People, with its epics and sacrifices, remains an integral part of Morocco’s national historical memory and a reference point for successive generations. It enables them to remember the victories achieved by Moroccans, under the leadership of the glorious Alawite Throne, in the pursuit of freedom, independence, and unity, and to draw inspiration from these values in building the Kingdom’s future, strengthening its achievements, and enhancing its standing.

News and events on Western Sahara issue/ CORCAS