Morocco marks independence manifesto anniversary
Morocco, Local, 1/11/2001

Morocco celebrates this Monday the 57th anniversary of the presentation of the independence manifesto to the French colonial power.

On January 11, 1944, a group of nationalist Moroccans signed a petition, whereby they requested France to end its occupation of Morocco, writing a radiant page in the history of the struggle of the Alawite Throne and the people for freedom and independence.

In the beginning of the 1940's, Morocco entered into direct political confrontation with the occupiers, a confrontation that ended only with independence.

The political march of the national movement was backed by several demonstrations throughout the country. Colonial authorities responded with a ruthless repression, but despite this repression, Moroccans intensified their struggle, under the leadership of the late King Mohammed V, who seized the opportunity of the Anfa Conference in 1943 to claim Morocco's independence and the end of the French protectorate.

The national movement continued its struggle and its leaders started preparing the manifesto, with the backing of the Late King Mohammed V.

The late King personally chose the persons who would present the manifesto, while seeing to it that all the country's social layers and regions be represented.

The final version of the document was then presented to the Late King Mohammed V and to the French general residence, while copies were sent to the representatives of the United States, Britain and the former Soviet Union.

The presentation of the document enhanced the Moroccan people's determination to intensify the struggle for emancipation and independence. Protest movements and demonstrations were staged to back up the independence claim. The most important of these protest movements was staged in Casablanca on January 29, 1944. Scores of martyrs then fell in the battle against the occupation forces.

The struggle continued and gained momentum in the early 1950's and especially after the colonial power had the unhappy idea to exile on August 20, 1953 the late King Mohammed V and the Royal Family, symbol of the country's unity.

France's decision, meant to silence the growing voices calling for independence, had an adverse impact. Moroccans showed more determination in their liberation struggle and claims for the return of their legitimate King from his exile in Madagascar. With Moroccans' growing anger, French colonization was living its last hours. The dream was finally materializing. The exiled king and the royal family returned home and Morocco was at last independent.

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