Esther Imonmion
Moroccans on Thursday marked the 50th anniversary of the Green March, the historic mass mobilization that pushed Spain to relinquish control of Western Sahara in 1975 and paved the way for Morocco’s takeover of the disputed territory.
Festivities commemorating the Green March took place across the North African kingdom and in Western Sahara itself, including in its largest city, Laayoune. The anniversary is a national holiday celebrated as a milestone in Morocco’s struggle to end colonial rule and reaffirm sovereignty over the region.
In Oued Roumane, a district of Salé across the river from the capital Rabat, local NGOs, youth clubs, and sports associations marched along the main avenue waving Moroccan flags. Children carried portraits of the late King Hassan II — who led the original Green March — alongside photos of his son, King Mohammed VI.
“Long live the King. The Sahara is Moroccan and here we are celebrating from our hearts,” said Khadija Guerouaj, singing and dancing with a group of women.
Western Sahara, a phosphate-rich desert region, remained under Spanish control until 1975. That year, hundreds of thousands of Moroccan civilians and soldiers crossed into Spanish-held territory in a peaceful show of force known as the Green March, which convinced General Francisco Franco’s regime to cede control.
The territory remains disputed, claimed both by Morocco and the Polisario Front, which operates from refugee camps in southwestern Algeria. The Polisario says it represents the Sahrawi people native to the region and accuses Morocco of perpetuating colonial occupation after Spain’s withdrawal.
This year’s commemoration carried added significance. Last week, the United Nations Security Council described Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara as “a most feasible solution” — the first time such language appeared in a UN resolution.
Said Housni, one of the demonstrators, welcomed the move. “I thank all those involved, everyone who organized this celebration and everyone behind the UN resolution,” he said.
King Mohammed VI hailed the statement as a diplomatic victory for Morocco, saying it reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Green March and its enduring role in uniting Moroccans around the country’s sovereignty claims. The Polisario Front, however, reiterated its vow to continue pushing for a referendum on self-determination that includes independence as an option.