Laayoune Prepares to Mark Inaugural Unity Day Ahead of Green March Anniversary

Laayoune is gearing up to observe Morocco’s newly created Unity Day on October 31, followed by the 51st anniversary of the Green March on November 6. Ahead of these two major national occasions deeply tied to the Moroccan Sahara, the city is undergoing extensive preparations, including street decorations, public space renovations, and new lighting setups.

This will mark the official debut of Unity Day, an annual national holiday established by King Mohammed VI in November 2025 in the wake of UN Security Council Resolution 2797 regarding the Sahara.

Observed every October 31, the holiday honors the date of the resolution, which reinforced international support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative as the foundation for resolving the dispute. As part of this annual celebration, royal pardons may also be granted.

This year’s commemorations coincide with another series of UN Security Council discussions on the Sahara, as Morocco awaits a new resolution regarding the territory and the future mandate of MINURSO.

Shortly after, on November 6, the country will mark the anniversary of the 1975 Green March, when roughly 350,000 Moroccans answered the call of the late King Hassan II and marched into the then Spanish-controlled territory.