Independence Day... which independence?

Dr. Mohamed Amine Regala,



Another Independence Day would be celebrated. An independence that has cost our people very high price, many lives were lost. However, the independence of our country didn’t meet the expectations of the people who scarified everything for it. Freedom, dignity and popular sovereignty haven’t been achieved. Colonial powers are still controlling our country economically and politically. We are living in a big prison that has a flag and an anthem. We have become servers of a new-colonial power that uses our resources for its own benefits threatening our national development and the future of our generations.

Shortly after Independence, people had hopes to reach full independence, economical growth and social prosperity to the benefit of all. A great progress was expected to lead us to reach a respectable position on the international scene. None of this happened, the dream has become a nightmare.

The big question that is widely asked is: Why our independence, though not complete, hasn’t led us to a better life conditions. Why is our country still under colonial hegemony? Why are we still dependent on others?

I don’t want to be unrealistic saying that nothing has been achieved since independence, but what achieved can’t be compared with people sacrifices. Our independence is unable to give us freedom, dignity, prosperity and development. Despite some achievements, we are on the edge of a real crisis.

Our country is lacking a social project that can guide us towards a better future. Big projects, in our present world, don’t guarantee us a better future. Human development initiatives can’t save us from poverty caused by the fierce liberal globalisation. Our failure is due to the lack of a clear social philosophy.

The monopolised political scene is a good example of our failures. There is no real will to give way to a democratic process that can leads to compete freely through transparent elections. There is no competition between different political, social and economical projects. Only a fake democracy, exchanging positions, is granted to whoever has agreed to be a political puppet to legitimate the political game.

We have become dependent on World Bank economically. We have destroyed our chances to take-off economically. Our natural and human resources and public strategic companies have been wasted. Our national sovereignty is lost.

Education has failed. Public school has been systematically marginalized to prevent low class citizens any chance to climb the social ladder. Without a good public school, no national revival can take place.

The ethical crisis of our elite was invested in destroying any popular achievements making Moroccans poorer and more analphabetic. The wide majority have lost hope in any change or reform. Both attitudes only favour corruption and tyranny. The elite has forgotten that its responsibility is to enlighten the grassroots and lead them in the struggle for change. The great majority have forgotten that big achievements don’t appear from one day to another, but with persistent every day struggle and accumulation. Sacrifice and suffering is the only way to victory. Let’s listen to Allah SWT: “Until when the apostles despaired and the people became sure that they were indeed told a lie, Our help came to them and whom We pleased was delivered; and Our punishment is not averted from the guilty people”. Yusuf, (12:110)

Food security is still a dream. Although our country known for its fertile lands, and long costs, it is still importing foods.

Social policies have failed too. Although women fertility rate has decreased, health, education and social services are very poor. Broken families are on the rise, and the same for our national identity.

What to do??

Enlightenment: people should know that we have a deep historical and cultural ground that enables us a new rise. Moroccans should be valued for their melting pot experience throughout centuries. Only a new social contract and mutual respect can guarantee our unity as a nation. Our difference should be regarded as an added value not a hindrance. Dialogue is the only tool for our consensus, and democracy is the only way to manage our pluralism.

Liberation: our minds should be liberated from the “avoiding means” “ Sad Daraee” philosophy. We should liberate ourselves from pluralism phobia and the inferiority complex. Our energy and abilities should be stimulated. We should liberate future generations and ourselves. Our political scene has to be liberated from tyranny. Our wealth should be free of monopoly. Our national institutions should be liberated from the dominance of foreigners.

Only then we would respect our martyrs. Only then we would be independent, and we would celebrate it. Only then we could become among the leading nations.