Morocco commemorates Independence Manifesto Day

The Moroccan people is celebrating on Thursday the 63rd anniversary of the presentation of the Independence Manifesto on 11 January 1944. This is a key date in the struggle for independence and it is a turning point in the national struggle led by the Moroccan royal family and the people against the French colonization.
 
The national struggle against the French occupation started with the announcement of the protectorate in 1912. The publication of the Berber Dahir in 1930 marked the beginning of the political struggle in parallel with the armed fight. 
 
In 1943, late king Mohammed V called for the independence of Morocco in the Anfa conference, held in Casablanca. After intensified contacts with the Royal palace and leaders of the liberation movement, came the initiative of the late Moroccan sovereign to present the independence manifesto to the occupation forces.
 
The French occupation decided to exile king Mohammed V and the royal family in 1953, which marked the start of new battles that went on until the proclamation of independence and concretisation of the legitimate aspirations of the Moroccan people. (MAP)