Speaking at a meeting organized on the occasion of the celebration of this event, Mr. El Ktiri stressed that this anniversary constitutes “a radiant historical stage in the annals of the history of Morocco and a memorable epic of the heroic struggle for the completion of territorial integrity.”
In this regard, he noted that the population of Oued Eddahab has always demonstrated its unwavering attachment to the glorious Alawite Throne, by renewing the oath of allegiance to Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz and aligning itself behind the fighter and scholar Sheikh Maoulainine to free itself from the colonial yoke, adding that it was also eager to renew the oath of allegiance to the late HM Mohammed V, shortly after the holding of the Oum Cheggag conference on April 15, 1956.
On August 14, 1979, the ulama, notables and tribal chiefs of the province of Oued Eddahab went to the Royal Palace of Rabat to present to the late HM Hassan II their oath of allegiance and reaffirm their bonds of unwavering attachment to the Glorious Alaouite Throne, he recalled.
The High Commissioner also said that the launch of the Liberation Army’s operations in southern Morocco in 1956 embodies the determination of all Moroccans to continue their mobilization to liberate the remaining usurped parts of the Moroccan Sahara, noting that the sons of the southern provinces had taken part in fierce battles against the enemy during which they distinguished themselves by their boldness and courage.
The late HM Mohammed V had never ceased to demand the right of the Kingdom to liberate its Sahara, notably in his famous speech delivered on February 25, 1958 in M’hamid El-Ghizlane, which was decisive in Morocco’s determination to move forward in completing territorial integrity, he recalled.
These tireless efforts were crowned, first, by the return of Tarfaya to the bosom of the nation on April 15, 1958 and of Sidi Ifni on June 30, 1969, then by the organization, on November 6, 1975, of the glorious Green March which gave a masterful demonstration to the whole world of the depth of the unitary aspirations of the Moroccan people and their mobilization behind the late HM Hassan II, to complete the territorial unity of the Kingdom, he continued.
He added that this peaceful march allowed the hoisting of the national flag in Laayoune on February 28, 1976, thus marking the end of the occupation of the southern provinces of the Moroccan Sahara.
The recovery of Oued Eddahab on August 14, 1979, in turn testifies to the unwavering anchoring of the Sahrawi tribes in the founding base of national identity and unity, he continued.
Furthermore, Mr. El Ktiri noted that the process of preserving and consecrating territorial unity has continued, with determination and conviction, under the enlightened leadership of HM King Mohammed VI who surrounds with His High solicitude the inhabitants of the southern provinces of the Kingdom.
On this occasion, a vibrant tribute was paid to six former resistance fighters and members of the liberation army, in recognition of the great sacrifices they made in the service of the Nation.
Similarly, financial aid was given to 43 beneficiaries from the family of the resistance and the liberation army and to beneficiaries.
The meeting was attended in particular by the presidents of the elected Councils, as well as elected officials and members of the resistance family.
2024-08-29 13:45:34