Morocco marks the 81st anniversary of its Independence Manifesto, commemorating a pivotal moment in the nation’s struggle against French and Spanish colonial rule.
The 1944 manifesto, signed by 66 members of the Moroccan National Movement, demanded complete independence from colonial powers that had divided the country into three occupation zones since 1912, with France controlling the central region and Spain occupying the northern and southern territories.
“The Independence Manifesto represented a ground-breaking event in Morocco’s contemporary colonial history,” said Morocco’s Ambassador Abderrahim Rahhaly. “It is more than a document; it is an annual recognition of Moroccans’ common values of patriotism, faith, and loyalty.”
The historic declaration led to Morocco’s eventual independence in 1956, ending a protectorate system that had placed Tangier, a northern city, under the administration of a 12-region council.
According to Rahhaly, the manifesto’s spirit continues to influence Morocco’s modern development under King Mohammed VI’s leadership, driving national initiatives for socioeconomic growth and territorial integrity.
The commemoration events are held across the Kingdom ever January 11, highlighting what officials describe as an enduring commitment to sovereignty and national development that began with the independence movement nearly eight decades ago.
