On Saturday, November 6, the Kingdom of Morocco will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Green March, an event through which Morocco regained its southern territories. This occasion has left its mark on the memories of participants, along with countless daily stories and details recorded by writers and journalists.
Among the participants in the march was Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and ruler of Abu Dhabi, who was present even at a young age. His connection to Morocco began at the age of 14 when his father, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, sent him to study at the royal school in Morocco.
This choice was not coincidental; the founding father of the United Arab Emirates admired the rigor of the Moroccan educational system and the serious approach of the late King Hassan II in raising his children. During that time, Mohammed bin Zayed developed an early awareness of national values and the Moroccan spirit, prompting him to participate in the Green March and engage with the principles of national unity and the reclamation of Moroccan land.
Later on, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed continued his academic journey in the United Kingdom, graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1979, before taking up leadership positions in the UAE.
The Moroccan-UAE relations, as this incident emphasizes, are not merely political but also historical and deeply rooted, extending over decades of mutual respect and personal appreciation between the Moroccan royal family and the ruling family in Abu Dhabi. Today, this bond is evident in the close friendship between King Mohammed VI and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, which represents a strong foundation for a sustainable strategic partnership between the two countries.
In a related context, reports suggest that His Majesty King Mohammed VI may undertake a personal visit to the United Arab Emirates, although no official statement has been issued on the matter.
