King Mohammed VI delivered a speech on Wednesday evening on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the Green March, a key moment in Morocco’s contemporary history. Through this speech, the Sovereign reaffirmed the pride of the Moroccan people in this symbolic event that helped recover the Sahara and strengthen ties between this region and the nation. Since this event, Morocco has continued to defend its sovereignty over the Sahara, based on the principles of legality, justice and responsibility.
In his speech, the King highlighted three fundamental elements that underpin Morocco’s position on the Sahara.
First, the Sahrawis’ unwavering attachment to their Moroccanness, illustrated by centuries of loyalty to the monarchy and its sacred symbols.
Second, the growing development and stability of the Moroccan Sahara, which is experiencing significant dynamism, a constant improvement in security and a promising future for its inhabitants.
Third, the growing international recognition of the Sahara as a Moroccan territory, and the adherence to the autonomy proposal as a political solution to the conflict.
The King also condemned the defenders of obsolete ideas, such as that of organizing a referendum, an option abandoned by the United Nations due to its unfeasible nature. He denounced those who refuse to register the populations sequestered in the Tindouf camps, where they live in inhumane conditions, deprived of their fundamental rights.
He criticized the international actors who exploit the Sahara issue for geopolitical purposes, in particular those who seek to control access to the Atlantic Ocean. The King reaffirmed that Morocco supports an initiative aimed at facilitating the access of the Sahel countries to the Atlantic, within a framework of cooperation beneficial to the region.
The Sovereign reiterated that Morocco would never give up on its national unity, and that all the country’s international commitments and partnerships would always be aligned with the preservation of its territorial integrity. He stressed the need for continued mobilization of all citizens to defend the integrity of the country and praised the commitment of Moroccans abroad in defending national symbols and in the development of the kingdom.