The manifesto transformed Moroccan resistance, which was no longer a desire for reform, but a demand for independence.
History is not just a series of dates frozen in time, but a living story carried by decisive acts. The anniversary of the Manifesto of the Independence of Morocco, proclaimed on January 11, 1944, invites us to revisit a significant episode in the struggle for freedom and national sovereignty.
This audacious document, written in the troubled context of the Second World War, not only shook the foundations of the colonial system, but also united a people around a common aspiration: independence. After 81 years, its echo still resonates in Morocco’s diplomatic triumphs and its role as regional leader.
In 1944, Morocco, divided by the French protectorate in the center, the Spanish in the north and the south, and the international administration in Tangier, seemed condemned to perpetual domination. Yet, in the shadows, a strategic nationalist movement, led by key figures such as Sultan Mohammed V and patriotic intellectuals, was developing a bold vision: independence.
The first sparks of this revolution had been ignited long before. As early as the 1930s, uprisings against the “Berber decree” of 1930 had united Moroccans against discriminatory colonial policies. The reforms demanded in 1934 and the efforts of the National Action Bloc in 1937 had opened the way to a more structured organization of the resistance.
The diplomatic strategy of Mohammed V
The Second World War was an opportunity to redefine Moroccan ambitions. The Atlantic Charter, signed in 1941 by the Allies, proclaimed the right of peoples to self-determination. Mohammed V skillfully used this principle to position Morocco as a strategic ally in the fight against Nazism. At the Anfa Conference in 1943, he spoke directly to Roosevelt and Churchill, asserting that the fight for world freedom must include that of Moroccan independence. Roosevelt called these demands ” reasonable and legitimate ».
The Manifesto, written in absolute secrecy, was both a political act and a rallying cry. Submitted both to the French authorities and to the consulates of the great foreign powers, it demanded thetotal independence under the leadership of Sidi Mohammed Ben Youssef andhe establishment of a consultative political system inspired by the models of Arab and Islamic countries.
Its broadcast was a significant event. The text was read publicly in mosques, souks and squares in cities such as Fez, Marrakech and Tangier. The people, galvanized, organized spontaneous rallies to express their support.
-The reaction of the French authorities was rapid and brutal. From January 28, 1944, several nationalist leaders were arrested or exiled. Massive demonstrations shook the country, accentuating the tension between the protectorate and local populations.
The struggle reached its climax in 1953, when Mohammed V was exiled to Madagascar, provoking an intensification of popular resistance. It was only with the return of the sovereign in 1955 that negotiations were initiated, leading to the official independence of Morocco on March 2, 1956.
A diplomatic and identity heritage
Eight decades later, the impact of the Manifesto is still felt. Under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco reaffirmed its national identity and consolidated its territorial integrity. With the opening of 29 consulates in the southern provinces, the country continues its fight for the recognition of its sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The journey since that morning in January 1944, when a simple document triggered a wave of hope and mobilization, illustrates the determination of a people and the vision of a king. As Allal El Fassi said: “ As long as Morocco has a great king like Sidi Mohammed at its head, its goal will remain achievable.. »
Even today, the Manifesto remains a guiding star for Morocco’s aspirations to play a major role on the international scene, honoring a past of resistance and writing a future of prosperity.
MK/ac/APA
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