50th Anniversary of the Green March: Celebrations Begin in Grand Style in Laâyoune, Moroccan Sahara
The city of Laâyoune officially kicked off, on Thursday evening, the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Green March — a defining moment in Morocco’s modern history that sealed the reunion between the Nation and its Southern Provinces and renewed the oath of unity and unwavering attachment to the homeland.
Presided over by Abdessalam Bekrate, Wali of the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region, alongside Moulay Hamdi Ould Errachid, President of the Laâyoune Municipal Council, and in the presence of several elected officials and representatives of local, security, and military authorities, the opening ceremony was marked by the illumination of dazzling light installations that transformed the city’s streets into a radiant display of patriotism.
A City Draped in the Colors of National Unity
As November 6 approaches, the symbolic date of the Green March’s departure in 1975, Laâyoune’s main avenues — Hassan II, Mohammed V, Mecca, Kairouan, and Mohammed VI Boulevard, as well as the iconic Oum Saad Square — have been transformed into vibrant, luminous murals celebrating five decades of unity, loyalty, and progress in Morocco’s Southern Provinces.
These decorations, designed to honor national memory, reflect the deep attachment of the local population to Moroccan sovereignty and to the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has made the Southern Provinces a model of integrated and sustainable development.
A Symbolic Relay of the Green March
In parallel with the festivities, Laâyoune’s Al-Méchouar Square hosted the launch of the 13th stage of the symbolic Green March relay, heading toward Boujdour. The event was attended by Nawal El Moutawakil, President of the Royal Moroccan Federation for Sport for All, along with several civil and military figures.
This symbolic sporting journey continues across the Southern Provinces, carrying a powerful message: the enduring spirit of the Green March and the transmission of its timeless values — patriotism, solidarity, and faith in a shared future.
A Celebration of Hope and Unity
Beyond commemoration, these festivities embody the Moroccan people’s gratitude to the pioneers of the Green March, as well as the determination of younger generations to preserve and honor this legacy.
Under the glowing lights of Laâyoune, the capital of the Moroccan Sahara, the spirit of November 1975 shines anew — a united, confident Morocco, proud of its history and firmly committed to the path of development and peace.
Editorial team/le7tv
