Morocco’s Independence Day: A Saga of a King and a People

The Moroccan people is celebrating this Monday November 18 the 69th anniversary of Independence Day, a major event that crowned a long national struggle to defend the unity, sovereignty, and core values of the country, thanks to the perfect harmony between the throne and the people.

Engraved into the annals of the Kingdom’s history and in the hearts of all Moroccans, Independence Day is an opportunity to recall the historical context of this epic event that marks the triumph of the shared will of the throne and the people, united in a long battle to free the country from colonial rule and lay the foundations for an independent Morocco, destined for a bright future. A key moment in this national struggle for independence was the historic visit of the father of the nation and the hero of liberation, the late Mohammed V, to Tangier in April 1947. This visit confirmed the attachment of Morocco, King and people, to its freedom, territorial integrity, and identity.

One of the greatest achievements of the national movement was the shift in the early 1930s toward political activism to revive patriotic sentiment among all segments of Moroccan society, especially the youth. The national movement also worked to raise awareness of the Moroccan cause on the international stage, which threw the colonial authorities into disarray. In response, they resorted to repressive measures aimed at stifling the independence project that had been developed in close coordination with the father of the nation, the late King Mohammed V.

Despite the exile imposed by the colonizer on King Mohammed V and the royal family, first in Corsica and later in Madagascar, the momentum of the national struggle did not weaken. On the contrary, it led to a general uprising in cities and villages across Morocco.

The entire national territory witnessed numerous heroic battles and popular uprisings that embodied the Moroccan people’s resistance against foreign presence and colonial domination. Among these, it is worth mentioning the battles of El-Hri, Anoual, Bougafer, Djebel Baddou, Sidi Bou Othmane, as well as the uprisings of the Aït Baâmrane tribes, the Southern provinces, and other historical events where resistance fighters inflicted heavy defeats on colonial forces.

The Revolution of the King and the People, on August 20, 1953, represents another moment of national cohesion and courageous struggle by the Moroccan people, united behind their Sovereign. For new generations, it is an opportunity to measure the extent of the sacrifices made by their ancestors to free the country from colonial rule and regain its independence. Upon his return from exile on November 16, 1955, King Mohammed V announced the end of the French protectorate and the beginning of the era of freedom and independence, describing it as the transition from the “small struggle” (Al Jihad al-Asghar) to the “great struggle” (Al Jihad al-Akbar), that of development, thus sealing the triumph of the Revolution of the King and the People.

A decisive turning point in Morocco’s history, independence represented a resounding victory that crowned the relentless and multifaceted struggle of the entire nation against the protectorate imposed since March 30, 1912. A new era then began, marked by reforms launched by the late Mohammed V in all vital sectors, aimed at building a modern Morocco and ensuring its territorial integrity.

Following in his father’s footsteps, King Hassan II led the battle to complete the territorial unity of Morocco, recovering Sidi Ifni on June 30, 1969, followed by the recovery of the Southern provinces through the Green March on November 6, 1975. At the same time, King Hassan II dedicated himself to the building of the rule of law and institutions and the consolidation of democracy. Today, under the reign of King Mohammed VI, Morocco is experiencing a dynamic process of modernization in all areas, with priorities including the defense of the Kingdom’s territorial integrity, the achievement of sustainable socio-economic development to ensure a dignified life for all citizens, and the promotion of the human element as the cornerstone of economic and social policies.

The celebration of Independence Day is an opportunity to revisit the glorious pages of Morocco’s history, filled with heroic acts and sacrifices made to defend the sacred values of the nation. It is also an opportunity to draw the necessary lessons from this historic event to instill the spirit of citizenship in new generations, who are called upon to engage in another equally fundamental struggle—to preserve democratic achievements and consolidate the territorial integrity of the country.