Moroccans are commemorating the 69th anniversary today of their independence from colonial rule, a historic milestone when the country regained its sovereignty from France’s protectorate. The day also honors the unbreakable bond between the Moroccan monarchy and its people, who stood together in their shared fight for freedom, sovereignty, and national unity.
Each Independence Day marks Morocco’s long struggle, led by the late King Mohammed V, to liberate the country from colonial domination.
In the early 1930s, Morocco’s nationalism movement intensified, shifting to political activism to inspire patriotism across all segments of society, particularly the youth.
The movement also gained international attention, unsettling the French colonial authorities. The colonial regime responded with harsh repression, but its efforts could not extinguish the country’s resolve to be free. King Mohammed V worked closely with the resistance, even as he and the Royal Family endured forced exile first in Corsica and later in Madagascar.
Despite the King’s absence, the national struggle grew stronger, with uprisings and heroic battles breaking out nationwide. Fierce battles at El-Hri, Anoual, Bougafer, and Sidi Bou Othmane, among others, demonstrated the Moroccan people’s defiance and resilience.
The pivotal moment came on August 20, 1953, the birth of the Revolution of the King and the People when the King was deposed and exiled. That landmark moment further cemented the alliance between the monarchy and its citizens, united in their opposition to colonial rule.
The momentum continued until King Mohammed V returned from exile on November 16, 1955, when he declared Morocco’s independence. He commended this victory as a shift from the “lesser struggle” (Al-Jihad al-Asghar) to the “greater struggle” (Al-Jihad al-Akbar) – defining his task of building a modern, unified nation.
The era following Morocco’s independence from France ushered in sweeping reforms under the rule of King Mohammed V, who sought to modernize the country and secure its territorial integrity.
His successor, King Hassan II, continued his father’s mission, reclaiming Sidi Ifni in 1969 and orchestrating the historic Green March in 1975 to recover the kingdom’s southern provinces from Spain.
King Hassan II also laid the foundation for a constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
Under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has pursued modernization even further over the last two decades, building substantial infrastructure, maintaining its territorial integrity, and achieving sustainable socio-economic development for its people.