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Morocco celebrates 70th anniversary of ‘People’s Revolution’

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The North African country of Morocco was agog on Sunday as Moroccans celebrated the 70th anniversary of “King and People’s Revolution”, a day that commemorates a significant historical event in the country’s liberation movement from French colonialism.

The occasion which is celebrated every August 20, also marks the triumphant return of Sultan Mohammed V from exile and the declaration of the independence of Morocco.

The day is also significant in Moroccan history as it marks the rise of the country’s liberation movement, and is equally a celebration of Morocco’s ruling Monarchy.

According to Morocco’s Ministry of Culture, the “King and People’s Revolution”, which occurred on August 20, 1953, marked the culmination of a long struggle for independence against French colonial rule.

“The trigger for the revolution was the exile of Sultan Mohammed V by the French authorities, who sought to impose their own puppet regime,” the ministry wrote on its website.

“The injustice sparked nationwide protests with Moroccans across the country demanding the restoration of the monarch, leading to the declaration of the King and People’s Revolution.

“Moroccans, both urban and rural, united to voice their opposition to colonial oppression. Under the leadership of Sultan Mohammed V, the people demanded the return of their rightful ruler and an end to foreign domination.

“The revolution saw Moroccans of all backgrounds coming together, transcending regional, linguistic, and cultural differences for a common cause.

“Amidst the violent repression of the French colonizer, activists from Morocco and abroad joined the lines of resistance forces and fought for their country.

“Faced with the rise of armed resistance from the National Liberation Army and an unprecedented increase in its operations throughout this country, the colonial authorities were forced to accept dialogue and open negotiations.

“The King and People’s Revolution is celebrated not only for achieving its immediate goal of restoring Sultan Mohammed V to the throne but also for setting Morocco on the path to full independence.

“One of the most enduring legacies of the revolution was the development of a constitutional monarchy. In 1957, Morocco became an independent nation with Sultan Mohammed V as its king.

“He played a pivotal role in steering the country towards political stability and modernization. His vision laid the foundation for the constitutional monarchy that Morocco enjoys today under the reign of King Mohammed VI”, the ministry added.

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DRC authorities arrest six over break-in at Lumumba’s Mausoleum

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Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) say six people have been arrested over a break-in and vandalism at the mausoleum of the country’s assassinated independence leader, Patrice Lumumba, in Kinshasa, the country’s capital.

The police had announced the six arrests late Wednesday and said they were still looking for two more suspects.

Interior Minister, Jacquemin Shabani, said in a statement that during the break-in which occurred on Monday, a case containing a single gold-capped tooth, the only part of the former leader that remained after his assassination, was broken by the vandals.

“We assure that the relic is secure and it is protected,” the minister said, without offering more information.

The return of Lumumba’s tooth from former colonizer Belgium in 2022 had been celebrated around Congo, with the tooth taken around the vast country so people could pay their respects.

Lumumba is widely hailed as the nationalist activist who helped end colonial rule in the DRC and went on to become the country’s first prime minister and was seen as one of Africa’s most promising new leaders, but he was assassinated within a year in 1961.

His body was dismembered and dissolved with acid in an apparent effort to keep any grave from becoming a pilgrimage site.

For many in Congo, Lumumba is a symbol of the positive developments the country could have achieved after its independence but instead, it became mired in decades of dictatorship that drained its vast mineral riches.

A military coup toppled Lumumba, who was arrested, jailed and later killed. His assassination, blamed on separatists, cleared the way for the rise of Mobutu Sese Seko, who ruled the country he later renamed Zaire for decades with support from Western powers until his death in 1997.

His one remaining tooth was kept by the Belgian police commissioner who oversaw the destruction of his body.

The tooth was returned to Congo after the visit of Belgium’s King Philippe, who expressed regrets for his nation’s abuses in Congo when it was a Belgian colony.

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Culture

Miss SA opens up on why she withdrew from Miss Universe pageant

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Reigning Miss South Africa 2024, Mia le Roux, has opened up on the reasons behind her withdrawal from the Miss Universe pageant which was held in Mexico, where Nigeria’s Chidinma Adetshina was the first runner-up.

While narrating her experience in a video she shared on social media on Wednesday, le Roux said her body was taking so much physical strain.

“Hello everyone, I’m back in South Africa and wanted to reach out to you all. Thank you so much for all of your kind wishes, your support and prayers,” she said in the video.

“I wanted to be transparent with you and share my story. A lot of you would’ve seen the video that I made about vertigo, while I was in Mexico at Miss Universe.

“Vertigo is a condition where it feels like you are dizzy and there’s a sense of the world spinning around you. It’s very intense and can cause major issues with your imbalance.

“Mentally I was very strong, I was ready, but physically, my body was taking strain. I had to even seek medical help in Mexico City. And even after the medical help, my condition still wasn’t improving.”

She added that during the preliminary rounds of Miss Universe, she had continued to push herself but her vertigo intensified and it became unmanageable.

She stated that while she was waiting backstage, she fell repeatedly and couldn’t stand up without support and was not in a position to safely walk on stage.

“It was not easy. As I was not doing it just for myself but for all of you in South Africa,” she said.

“I will continue to serve as your Miss South Africa, to support and uplift those who come after me. With my unbreakable spirit and an exciting year ahead, I will keep fighting for myself and for everyone with dreams and passions. I am so proud to still be your Miss South Africa,” she added.

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