Morocco marks anniversary of Revolution of King and People

Morocco is marking today the 51st anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People, that commemorates one of the glorious pages of the Moroccan people's fight for freedom and independence from occupation.

This date constitutes a major historic turning point in the action of the national movement against colonization, since the institution of the protectorate regime in 1912.

On 20 August 1953, colonial authorities surrounded the Royal palace and asked late king Mohammed V, grandfather of King Mohammed VI, to abdicate after he categorically refused any compromise with the French occupying power.

Convinced of the legitimacy of the national cause, the late sovereign refused to give up to colonial forces, which led to his deportation and exile, triggering off popular uprising.

The Moroccan people's defiance of the tyrannical colonial rule was crowned by the return of king Mohammed V to Morocco on 16 November 1955, and by the independence of the country in 1956.

"The triumphant revolution put an end to the yoke of tutelage and the mandate of the protectorate, ushering in an era of freedom and independence," king Mohammed VI said in his speech of last August 20, noting that the revolution derived its strength from the symbiosis uniting the people and the Throne.