The Moroccan people, alongside members of the Resistance Movement and the Liberation Army, celebrate on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the 71st anniversary of the glorious Revolution of the King and the People. This historic milestone epitomizes the sacred bond between the Alaouite Throne and the Moroccan nation in their quest for freedom, independence, and territorial integrity.
A Defining National Epic Sparked by Royal Exile
According to a statement from the High Commission for Former Resistance Fighters and Former Members of the Liberation Army, this national revolution was triggered on August 20, 1953, when colonial authorities forcibly exiled the Hero of Independence, His Late Majesty King Mohammed V, and the Royal Family. Falsely believing this would quash the national cause, the colonial act instead ignited widespread armed resistance, mass protests, and Liberation Army operations in northern Morocco (October 1955), leading to the triumphant return of the legitimate King on November 16, 1955, and the declaration of independence.
This watershed moment builds upon decades of armed resistance (such as the battles of El Herri, Anual, Bougafer, and Baddou) and key political milestones, including opposition to the 1930 Berber Dahir, the submission of the Independence Manifesto on January 11, 1944, and the historic Tangier Speech on April 9, 1947. The path to complete territorial integrity continued through the recovery of Tarfaya (1958), Sidi Ifni (1969), and the Southern Provinces via the peaceful Green March in 1975 under His Late Majesty King Hassan II (recovery of Laayoune in 1976 and Oued Eddahab in 1979).
Sovereignty and Diplomatic Triumphs Under His Majesty King Mohammed VI
Marking this anniversary alongside the 61st birthday of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the resistance community reaffirmed its continuous alignment behind the Sovereign, recalling the Royal doctrine that the Moroccan Sahara is "the lens through which Morocco measures its international relationships."
This year’s commemoration comes amid a major diplomatic breakthrough: France's official recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Moroccan Sahara. In his letter to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that "the present and future of Western Sahara belong within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty," confirming France's commitment to act in alignment with this position nationally and internationally.
Commemorative Events and Social Welfare Initiatives
To honor this milestone, the High Commission will host a national rally in Rabat on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, featuring tributes to former resistance fighters and the distribution of financial grants and social assistance to eligible families, alongside educational and cultural programming across the country's 104 Historical Memory Spaces.
Prime Minister-designate Fatima-Zahra Mansouri met with Mohamed Joudar, Secretary-General of the Constitutional Union Party, as part of consultations to form Morocco’s new government. Discussions focused on employment, purchasing power, education, healthcare, social and territorial justice, and preparations for the 2030 World Cup.
Mohamed Joudar, Secretary-General of the Constitutional Union, urged voters to turn out in large numbers to strengthen Moroccan democracy and shape the Kingdom's legislative and executive direction for the next five years. Speaking after casting his ballot in Casablanca, he highlighted key priorities for the upcoming government—including healthcare, education, purchasing power protection, and preparations for the 2030 World Cup—noting the party's participation with 74 local and 12 regional electoral lists.
On September 7 in Casablanca, the Constitutional Union (UC) launched its platform for the 2026 legislative elections, prioritizing job creation, purchasing power, and productive growth under the commitment "A Productive Economy, More Job Opportunities, and Stronger Purchasing Power." Key Challenges Addressed: Secretary-General Mohamed Joudar highlighted that ~2.9 million Moroccan youth are currently not in employment, education, or training (NEETs), alongside inflation pressures and market intermediaries driving up living costs. Core Proposals: Align vocational training with market demands and support first-job access for youth. Improve the business climate, expand financing for SMEs/startups, and combat monopolies and rent-seeking. Strengthen market competition and supply chain transparency to curb inflation rather than relying solely on temporary price fixes. Combine private initiative with strategic state oversight to ensure growth benefits all social classes and regions.
