 August 14, 1979, was a historic day in the journey towards completing national independence and achieving sacred territorial unity.
In an atmosphere of overflowing national enthusiasm and comprehensive and ongoing national mobilization, the Moroccan people, along with the veterans of the resistance and the Liberation Army, will commemorate tomorrow, Friday, the 47th anniversary of the recovery of the Oued Ed-Dahab region, a shining milestone in the journey towards completing national independence and achieving sacred territorial unity.
The High Commission for Former Resistance Fighters and Members of the Liberation Army stated in a communiqué issued on this occasion that delegations of scholars, dignitaries, notables, and tribal leaders from across the Oued Ed-Dahab region arrived in the capital, Rabat, on August 14, 1979, to renew and reaffirm their allegiance to the Commander of the Faithful and Protector of the Faith, His Majesty the late King Hassan II.
They expressed their unwavering attachment to the glorious Alawite Throne and their loyalty and devotion to its occupant, following in the footsteps of their forefathers, thus connecting the past with the present. They affirmed their commitment to their Moroccan identity, their deep-rooted national belonging, and the unity of the sacred territory from Tangier to Lagouira, thereby thwarting the plans and maneuvers of those who oppose territorial integrity and seek to undermine the legitimate rights of our nation.
They presented the text of their pledge of allegiance, a pledge of contentment and acceptance, to His Majesty, may God rest his soul, declaring their profound connection and unity with their homeland, Morocco.
The text of the pledge of allegiance reads:
“Our noble people, scholars, dignitaries, men and women, young and old, have gathered, and our unwavering opinion, which cannot be questioned, and our unified word, which cannot be based on falsehood, have converged to renew our pledge to the Commander of the Faithful and Protector of the Faith, our master Hassan II, may God preserve him, by the seven oft-repeated verses, the pledge by which our forefathers and ancestors pledged allegiance to his noble forefathers and ancestors, may God bless their souls in Paradise. We pledge allegiance to him as the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, pledged allegiance to his companions under the Tree of Ridwan. We acknowledge his rule and commit ourselves to obeying and advising him at all times. We are his supporters, his helpers, his army, and his soldiers. We are loyal to those who are loyal to him and we are hostile to those who are hostile to him.”
It was a momentous historical event in the epic of unity, a torch carried with faith, competence, insight, and foresight by the architect of the triumphant Green March, the march of liberation, when His Majesty, may God rest his soul, addressed the sons of the Sahrawi tribes, saying:
“Today we have received your pledge of allegiance, and we will cherish and protect it as the most precious and valuable trust. From this day forward, our pledge is your responsibility, and from this day forward, it is our duty to defend your safety, preserve your security, and strive always for your happiness. We thank God Almighty with the deepest gratitude and most abundant praise for perfecting His favor upon us by uniting the South with the North, strengthening kinship ties, and reinforcing bonds.”
Adding to the splendor and significance of this historic meeting was His Majesty’s, may God sanctify his soul, distribution of weapons to the delegations of the Sahrawi tribes, a symbolic gesture signifying the continuation of the struggle to defend territorial integrity and to establish security, safety, and stability in the recovered southern provinces.
Only a few months passed before the architect of the Green March met again with the people of the Oued Ed-Dahab region during an official visit on the occasion of the glorious Throne Day celebrations. This visit reaffirmed the strong bond and deep connection between the illustrious Alawite Throne and the people of this valiant region of the nation—a bond that thwarted all the maneuvers of those who oppose our territorial integrity.
Morocco then embarked on a path of construction, development, and advancement for its southern provinces, integrating them into the national effort for comprehensive, sustainable, and integrated development. This was all while defending its complete unity and demonstrating to the world the legitimacy of its rights and the unanimous support of the Moroccan people for defending them at all costs.
The High Commission added that August 14, 1979, is a historic day, a significant milestone in the series of epics and noble deeds undertaken to achieve territorial unity and complete national sovereignty. This is the culmination of a long and arduous struggle, rich with lessons and experiences.
After decades of Spanish colonial presence in the southern provinces, the liberation of the remaining occupied territories continued, beginning with Tarfaya on April 15, 1958, then Sidi Ifni on June 30, 1969, followed by the recovery of the southern provinces in the wake of the Green March, launched on November 6, 1975, thanks to the vision and wisdom of His Majesty the late King Hassan II and the struggles and heroism of the people of these valiant lands. Finally, the Oued Ed-Dahab region was recovered on August 14, 1979.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God preserve him, the descendant of the most noble and the architect of modern Morocco, has continued to carry the torch of defending the unity of the national territory, devoting his utmost attention to our recovered southern provinces and his generous care to their inhabitants, thus strengthening the bonds of unity and fostering a comprehensive and ongoing national mobilization to safeguard our sacred territorial integrity. Thus, 47 years after the return of this region to the homeland, the development efforts of this precious part of the country continue with the same determination and resolve, aiming to elevate it to a regional hub not only in comparison with the country's twelve regions, but also for all the coastal and Saharan regions.
Since the recovery of this region and the other southern provinces, major projects have been launched to implement investment and development programs in all sectors and across all economic, social, urban, cultural, and human dimensions.
These projects include establishing essential infrastructure and foundational facilities to build a strong and innovative regional economy, one that provides a robust material base for production and creates job opportunities.
The statement indicated that the vision of inclusive and sustainable development projects that place the citizen at the heart of priorities has paved the way for a profound and radical transformation in the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region and the three Saharan regions.
These areas of the country did not witness any economic or social development during the period of occupation. Today, however, they are experiencing continuous dynamism in various fields of comprehensive, integrated, and cohesive development within the national economy.
The commemoration of the 47th anniversary of the recovery of the Oued Ed-Dahab region, as every year, and the reflection upon its values, significance, lessons, and insights, invites us to contemplate this period of development and progress.
It marks a pivotal moment in the history of the glorious era of independence, rich with ambitious development projects and programs that have strengthened territorial unity, the national economy, and a new society rooted in the values and principles of volunteerism, solidarity, and mutual support, while also reinforcing social and spatial justice.
These are the noble messages that the High Commission for Former Resistance Fighters and Members of the Liberation Army seeks to convey and pass down from generation to generation.
These messages embody the spiritual and national values that must be continuously instilled in the hearts and minds of young people and successive generations, so that the spirit of patriotism, love of country, pride in national belonging, and authentic Moroccan identity may be strengthened.
The Resistance and Liberation Army veterans seize this cherished anniversary to reaffirm their unwavering mobilization, constant vigilance, and permanent commitment, alongside all segments of Moroccan society, to safeguard our territorial integrity and consolidate our national gains.
They highly value the address delivered by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God protect him, on Friday, October 31, 2025, following the adoption of UN Resolution 2797, which endorsed the autonomy initiative for the recovered Saharan provinces under Moroccan sovereignty as the sole basis and framework for any negotiations concerning their future.
On this auspicious occasion, the High Commission for Former Resistance Fighters and Members of the Liberation Army will organize a commemorative event tomorrow, Friday, at noon, in the auditorium of the Chamber of Agriculture in Dakhla.
Speeches and testimonies will be delivered, praising the chapters of the heroic struggle waged by the glorious Alawite Throne and the proud Moroccan people, united and steadfast, for the freedom and independence of the nation, the achievement of its territorial unity, and the defense of its sacred values and fundamental principles.
A select group of veterans of the resistance and members of the Liberation Army will be honored in recognition of their noble deeds and immense sacrifices for their religion, homeland, and throne.
Financial aid and social assistance will also be distributed to members of this dedicated family, deserving of continued care and comprehensive support.
On the same occasion, the foundation stone for the construction of a historical memory space dedicated to the resistance and liberation struggle in Dakhla will be laid on the sidelines of the commemorative event and the honoring ceremony.
Furthermore, the regional and provincial delegations and local offices of the High Commission for Former Resistance Fighters and Members of the Liberation Army, along with the network of historical memory spaces dedicated to the resistance and liberation struggle across the country, currently numbering 109 units, have prepared programs of educational, intellectual, cultural, and communicative activities related to national and local historical memory.
These programs are being developed in coordination with government sectors, public and private institutions, elected bodies, and civil society organizations and activists.
News and events on Western Sahara issue/ CORCAS
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