Today marks the 75th anniversary of the Manifesto of Independence, a day that celebrates Morocco’s path to becoming an independent country after a long struggle with colonization.
The 75th anniversary of Morocco’s Manifesto of Independence is today.
Like this day on January 11 in 1944, Moroccans show commitment towards their country.
Determined to make Morocco free, 67 members of Morocco’s national movement signed the Manifesto of Independence in January 1944. The document was then handed over to the colonial authorities and representations of three powers, the US, Great Britain, and the former Soviet Union.
The Independence Manifesto, in which Morocco demanded freedom, expressed the categorical refusal of Moroccans to continue to live under the protectorate of colonizers.
The document included general policy demands, including full independence, and Morocco’s territorial integrity under the auspices of the sultan.
The commemoration of such events builds national pride and commemorates the sacrifice and determination that was needed to recover complete territorial integrity and full independence.
Moroccans of all ages contributed to Morocco’s independence. The anniversary of the event is an annual opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women of the national resistance and liberation movement who fought for independence and to preserve national dignity.
The writing of the manifesto is not the only historic era when Moroccans acted heroically towards their country; there is a long history of Morocco fighting back against colonization.
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All Moroccans remember the battles led by Moroccan heroes, such as the iconic free leader of the Battle of Annual, Abd El Krim Khattabi, who led a strong movement against Spanish and French colonizers.
Moroccans defeated the plans of colonizers who spared no effort to control the country from the south to the north a century ago.
The leadership of Sultan Mohammed V, later King Mohammed V, contributed to the complete independence of the country.
The late monarch seized an opportunity at the Anfa conference, which took place in January 1943, to discuss Moroccan independence.
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The sultan’s strategy helped Morocco gain support from powerful world leaders such as American President Franklin Roosevelt.
Morocco obtained its complete freedom from the French colonial rule in March 1956, and freed itself from the Spaniards just a month later.
The late King struggled against colonizers when tension broke out in August 1953, and colonial powers decided to exile Sultan Mohammed V and the rest of the royal family, including late King Hassan II, who was crown prince of Morocco at the time.
The decision resulted in a revolution from the Moroccan resistance and liberation army who fought for Morocco’s territorial integrity on behalf of the beloved sultan.
After three years in exile, the royal family came home in 1955 when Sultan Mohammed V successfully negotiated Morocco’s independence with France and Spain.