Photos have been circulating on social media showing the flag raising ceremony hailing Morocco’s return to the African Union on Monday.

The reverence of the occasion was not lost on the honor guard carrying the flag outside the African Union headquarters on Monday. The raising of the Moroccan flag marks the end of a seventeen-year journey begun by King Mohammed VI.

Photos shared on Twitter show members of the honor guard carrying the folded symbol of Moroccan pride before it was raised and unfurled, celebrating the official return of Morocco to the AU as its 55th full-fledged member.

Morocco left the organization in 1984 in response to the AU’s recognition of the self-proclaimed, Algeria-backed Saharwi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as a full member. Since his ascension to the throne in 1999, King Mohammed VI has campaigned steadily for the country’s return amid considerable opposition, and challenges .

The King’s efforts were rewarded January 30 when 39 of the 54 existing members voted to welcome Morocco back into the AU fold. The vote took place during the 28th summit of the pan-African group held in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia.

It was announced last week that the city of Rabat will host a month-long festival to celebrate Morocco’s return to the AU titled Africa in the Capital, beginning March 28.

The celebrations will include concerts, exhibitions, productions and literary events all intended to demonstrate the pride Morocco feels in being African.

Source :Morocco World News