The Independence Process Of Morocco In Light Of The Turkish Diplomatic Archival Documents Of The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Türkiye

Abstract

Morocco, which is geographically located in an important position, was divided between Spain and France in 1912 and came under the rule of these countries. However, this date can also be considered as the beginning of the struggles for independence in Morocco. Over time, this struggle grew and resulted in Morocco’s independence. Sultan Mohammed V and the Istiqlal Party played a significant role in Morocco’s independence process. France, not wanting to lose its influence in Morocco, adopted a harsh policy towards the independence movement. For this purpose, France together with El Glaoui, the Pasha of Marrakesh deposed and exiled the Sultan on the grounds that he had acted against France’s policies. However, this development did not result as France had hoped and, in fact, became a turning point in Morocco’s struggle for independence. The exile of the Sultan increased the support of the Moroccan people for the independence struggle. Arab countries, especially Egypt, supported Morocco’s struggle, and with the pressure of public opinion, they ensured that the issue gained international attention. They also requested assistance from Türkiye. During the period that Türkiye sought to establish good relations with Western countries against the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), it evaluated developments in light of information which was coming from its foreign missions, and sought to develop a policy in line with the conjuncture after its accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Therefore, even though Türkiye itself was established following an independence war, it attempted to follow a realistic foreign policy in the Moroccan struggle that aligned with its foreign policy objectives. Right after Morocco’s independence was recognized, Turkish President Celal Bayar sent a telegram to Sultan Mohammed V, indicating his intention to develop bilateral relations in a positive direction. This study, using archival documents obtained from the Turkish Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, as well as local and foreign copyrighted and research works, aims to present Morocco’s struggle for independence in 1956 and the policy Türkiye followed during this process.