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:''This article is about the historical event. For the aerobatic team see: ]. :''This article is about the historical event. For the aerobatic team see: ].


'''The Green March''' was a peaceful mass demonstration in ], coordinated by the ] government, to force ] to hand over the disputed ] of ] (now ]) to Morocco. '''The Green March''' was a peaceful mass demonstration in ], coordinated by the ] government, to force ] to hand over the disputed ] of ] (now ]) which Morocco had long claimed that it was historically an integral part of its territory.

== Background == == Background ==
Morocco, to the north of the Spanish Sahara, had long claimed that the territory was historically an integral part of Morocco, and should not be granted ]. Mauritania to the south argued similarly that the territory was in fact Mauritanian. Since ], a ] ] led by the ] had challenged Spanish control with increasing success, and in October 1975 Spain had quietly begun negotiations for a handover of power with leaders of the rebel movement Morocco, to the north of the Spanish Sahara, had long claimed that the territory was historically an integral part of Morocco, and should not be ]. Mauritania to the south argued also that the territory should be Mauritanian. Since ], a ] led by the ] had challenged Spanish control with some success, and in October 1975 Spain had quietly begun negotiations for a handover of power with leaders of the rebel movement, according to partial sources.


Morocco intended to vindicate its claims by demanding a verdict from the ] (ICJ). The ] that there were historical legal ties of allegiance between ] and the ], as well as ties including some rights relating to the land between Mauritania and these same tribes. However the ICJ stated also that there was no ties of territorial sovereignty between the territory and Morocco or Mauritania at the time of Spanish ], and that these contacts were not extensive enough to support either country's demand for annexation of the Spanish Sahara. Instead, the court argued, the indigenous population (the ]s) were the owners of the land, and thus possessed the right of ]. This meant that regardless of which political solution was found to the question of sovereignty (integration with Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, division or independence), it had to be explicitly approved by the people of the territory. Complicating matters, a ] had concluded on October 15, the day before the ICJ verdict was released, that Sahrawi support for independence was "overwhelming". Morocco intended to vindicate its claims by demanding a verdict from the ] (ICJ). The ] that there were historical legal ties of allegiance between ] and the ], as well as ties including some rights relating to the land between Mauritania and these same tribes. However the ICJ stated also that there was no ties of territorial sovereignty between the territory and Morocco or Mauritania at the time of Spanish colonization. By then the court stated that those legal ties don't affect the principle of ] of the peoples of the Territory. A ] had concluded on October 15 that Sahrawi support for independence was "overwhelming". The reference to previous Moroccan-Sahrawi ties of allegiance was considered by ] ] as a vindication of his position, and within hours of the ICJ verdict's release, he announced the initiative of the "Green March" to Spanish Sahara, to "reunite it with the Motherland".


==Historical Foundations of the Moroccanity of Western Sahara==
However, the reference to previous Moroccan-Sahrawi ties of allegiance was presented by ] ] as a vindication of his position, with no mention of the court's further ruling on self-determination. Within hours of the ICJ verdict's release, he announced the organizing of a "green march" to Spanish Sahara, to "reunite it with the Motherland".
According to Morocco, the exercise of Sovereignty by the Moroccan State during its history which is characterized by a number of peculiarities due to the particular structure of the State. The central power is exerted by the Sultan, "Commander of the Believers". The acceptation of the Sultan's person by the believers is made through the "Beyaa", or allegiance. The obedience which, translated into inter-temporal terms, emanates from the traditional efforts binding a State to its nationals so long as the Sultan remains faithful to the precepts of the Coran. The Sultan, representative of the supreme spiritual and political authority, is in charge of, among others, the protection of the population and the relationship with foreign powers. Therefore, the allegiance act is synonymous with sovereignty. Besides, this has been confirmed by Judge Ammoun in his opinion relating to the judgment of the ICJ on the Sahara.


== The Green March == == The Green March ==
In preparation for the march, ] forces crossed the border to engage the Polisario on October 31 neutral evidence needed. As preparations were underway for the march, a well-publicized event of enormous proportions. On ], ], approximately 350,000 unarmed ] converged on the city of ] in southern Morocco and waited for a signal from ] ] to cross into ]. They brandished ], banners calling for the return of the ], photographs of the King and the ]. The color ] for the march's name was intended as a symbol of ]. As the marchers reached the border - even though the majority never crossed it - ] were ordered not to fire, and the demonstration could be completed without bloodshed. In preparation for the march, ] forces crossed the border to engage the Polisario on October 31, according to partial sources. As preparations were underway for the march, a well-publicized event of enormous proportions. On ], ], approximately 350,000 unarmed ] converged on the city of ] in southern Morocco and waited for a signal from ] ] to cross into ]. They brandished ], banners calling for the return of the ], photographs of the King and the ]. The color ] for the march's name was intended as a symbol of ]. As the marchers reached the border - even though the majority never crossed it - ] were ordered not to fire to avoid bloodshed.


==The Madrid Accords== ==The Madrid Accords==
As a result, Spain agreed to enter direct bilateral negotiations with Morocco, bringing in also ], who had made similar demands. This resulted in the November 14 ], a secret pact which divided Spanish Sahara between Mauritania and Morocco, in return for a 35% concession in the ] mines of ], and Spanish ]ing rights offshore neutral evidence needed. Both nations then formally annexed the parts they had been alloted in the Accords, and invaded the territory militarily. Morocco claimed the northern part, i.e. ] and minor parts of ], while Mauritania proceeded to occupy the southern third of the country under the name ]. The Polisario, with ]n backing, refused the Madrid Accords, and demanded that the ICJ's opinion on Sahrawi ] be respected: and so began a long, still unsettled war. As a result, Spain agreed to enter direct bilateral negotiations with Morocco, bringing in also ], who had made similar demands. This resulted in the November 14 ], a secret pact which divided Spanish Sahara between Mauritania and Morocco, in return for a 35% concession in the ] mines of ], and Spanish ]ing rights offshore, according to partial sources . Both nations then formally annexed the parts they had been alloted in the Accords. Morocco claimed and liberated the northern part, i.e. ] and minor parts of ], while Mauritania proceeded to annex the southern third of the country under the name ]. However The Polisario, with ]n backing, refused the Madrid Accords, and argued that the ICJ's opinion on Sahrawi ] should be respected and began a long war with Morocco and Mauritania.


== See also == == See also ==

Revision as of 20:11, 31 January 2006

This article is about the historical event. For the aerobatic team see: Marche Verte.

The Green March was a peaceful mass demonstration in November 1975, coordinated by the Moroccan government, to force Spain to hand over the disputed colony of Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) which Morocco had long claimed that it was historically an integral part of its territory.

Background

Morocco, to the north of the Spanish Sahara, had long claimed that the territory was historically an integral part of Morocco, and should not be independant. Mauritania to the south argued also that the territory should be Mauritanian. Since 1973, a guerrilla war led by the Polisario Front had challenged Spanish control with some success, and in October 1975 Spain had quietly begun negotiations for a handover of power with leaders of the rebel movement, according to partial sources.

Morocco intended to vindicate its claims by demanding a verdict from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ stated that there were historical legal ties of allegiance between Sahrawi tribes and the Sultan of Morocco, as well as ties including some rights relating to the land between Mauritania and these same tribes. However the ICJ stated also that there was no ties of territorial sovereignty between the territory and Morocco or Mauritania at the time of Spanish colonization. By then the court stated that those legal ties don't affect the principle of self determination of the peoples of the Territory. A UN visiting mission had concluded on October 15 that Sahrawi support for independence was "overwhelming". The reference to previous Moroccan-Sahrawi ties of allegiance was considered by King Hassan II as a vindication of his position, and within hours of the ICJ verdict's release, he announced the initiative of the "Green March" to Spanish Sahara, to "reunite it with the Motherland".

Historical Foundations of the Moroccanity of Western Sahara

According to Morocco, the exercise of Sovereignty by the Moroccan State during its history which is characterized by a number of peculiarities due to the particular structure of the State. The central power is exerted by the Sultan, "Commander of the Believers". The acceptation of the Sultan's person by the believers is made through the "Beyaa", or allegiance. The obedience which, translated into inter-temporal terms, emanates from the traditional efforts binding a State to its nationals so long as the Sultan remains faithful to the precepts of the Coran. The Sultan, representative of the supreme spiritual and political authority, is in charge of, among others, the protection of the population and the relationship with foreign powers. Therefore, the allegiance act is synonymous with sovereignty. Besides, this has been confirmed by Judge Ammoun in his opinion relating to the judgment of the ICJ on the Sahara.

The Green March

In preparation for the march, Moroccan Army forces crossed the border to engage the Polisario on October 31, according to partial sources. As preparations were underway for the march, a well-publicized event of enormous proportions. On November 6, 1975, approximately 350,000 unarmed Moroccans converged on the city of Tarfaya in southern Morocco and waited for a signal from King Hassan II of Morocco to cross into Western Sahara. They brandished Moroccan flags, banners calling for the return of the Moroccan Sahara, photographs of the King and the Qur'an. The color green for the march's name was intended as a symbol of Islam. As the marchers reached the border - even though the majority never crossed it - Spanish troops were ordered not to fire to avoid bloodshed.

The Madrid Accords

As a result, Spain agreed to enter direct bilateral negotiations with Morocco, bringing in also Mauritania, who had made similar demands. This resulted in the November 14 Madrid Accords, a secret pact which divided Spanish Sahara between Mauritania and Morocco, in return for a 35% concession in the phosphate mines of Bu Craa, and Spanish fishing rights offshore, according to partial sources . Both nations then formally annexed the parts they had been alloted in the Accords. Morocco claimed and liberated the northern part, i.e. Saguia el-Hamra and minor parts of Río de Oro, while Mauritania proceeded to annex the southern third of the country under the name Tiris al-Gharbiyya. However The Polisario, with Algerian backing, refused the Madrid Accords, and argued that the ICJ's opinion on Sahrawi self-determination should be respected and began a long war with Morocco and Mauritania.

See also

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