Green March Anniversary: Commemoration to revive the memory of a great national epic
Moroccans are marking on Monday one of the greatest anniversaries of their modern history: the 25th anniversary of the green march that revives memories of one of the great epics that punctuated Moroccan history and shaped the kingdom destiny.
On November 6, 1975, 350,000 men and women volunteers, from all Moroccan regions converged to the southern city of Tarfaya, and waited for a signal from the late King Hassan II to cross the imaginary borders that used to separate the Saharan provinces from their motherland. Carrying the holy Koran, and aware that they are living a historic moment, the volunteers were responding to a King's speech in which he called Moroccans "tomorrow, you will cross a land that is yours, you will touch sand that is yours, you will kiss a soil that is integral part of your dear country."
November 6 was actually the last phase of a march that started three weeks ago when the late sovereign announced the holding of a peaceful green march to the Sahara, hours after the International court of Justice delivered its consultative opinion that recognized the existence of legal ties of sovereignty and allegiance between the kings of Morocco and the Sahara populations.
At 10.33 exactly, the national flag was hoisted on the territory.
Since then, Morocco has been striving to foil schemes by its enemies while at the same time undertaking a huge development and modernization effort to build roads, schools, hospitals and other basic infrastructures to improve the life of populations.
Today, under the wise leadership of King Mohammed VI, the march of progress and development is being carried on with the same dedication and strong will demonstrated during the reign of the late king Hassan II.
Morocco is also renewing readiness to continue its full cooperation with the United Nations to carry out the settlement plan that provides for the holding of a referendum with the participation of all Sahrawis.
In his first throne speech to the nation, the sovereign had expressed resolve to carry on his late father's endeavors and to confirm once for all Morocco's legitimate rights over its southern provinces in keeping with international legality.
As part of this, Morocco has recently put forward concrete proposals to start a frank and direct dialogue with its enemies, producing, once again evidence to its openness and adherence to peace and international legality.