Morocco Celebrates 50 Years of Green March Amid Renewed UN Backing on Western Sahara

Morocco marked 50 years since the 1975 Green March that ended Spanish rule in Western Sahara. Nationwide celebrations followed a UN resolution describing Morocco’s autonomy plan as “a most feasible solution.” Morocco hailed it as a diplomatic win, while the Polisario Front vowed to keep fighting for independence.

Moroccans on Thursday celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Green March — the historic 1975 mass demonstration that compelled Spain to relinquish control of Western Sahara and enabled Morocco’s eventual takeover of the disputed territory.

Festivities were held throughout Morocco and in Western Sahara’s largest city, Laayoune. The event, a national holiday, is seen by Moroccans as a defining moment that ended colonial rule. In Salé’s Oued Roumane district near Rabat, local NGOs, youth clubs, and sports groups paraded through the streets carrying Moroccan flags and portraits of the late King Hassan II, who led the original march, alongside images 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 as she sang and danced amid the crowd.

Western Sahara, a phosphate-rich desert region, remained under Spanish control until 1975. That year, hundreds of thousands of Moroccan civilians and soldiers marched across the border in a symbolic show of unity and strength that convinced Spain’s then-ruler, General Francisco Franco, to hand over authority.

However, the territory’s status remains disputed. The Polisario Front — based in refugee camps in southwestern Algeria — continues to claim the region, asserting it belongs to the Sahrawi people and accusing Morocco of replacing one colonial power with another.

This year’s commemoration came with renewed diplomatic significance. The United Nations Security Council recently described Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara as “a most feasible solution,” marking the first time such phrasing appeared in a resolution.

For many Moroccans, the UN’s language was cause for celebration. “I thank all those involved, everyone who organized this celebration and everyone behind the UN resolution,” said demonstrator Said Housni.

King Mohammed VI hailed the development as a diplomatic success. Meanwhile, the Polisario Front has vowed to continue its struggle for a long-promised referendum on self-determination — one that would include the option of full independence for Western Sahara.