Mbarek Bekkay

Mbarek Bekkay (Arabic: مبارك البكاي; April 18, 1907 – April 12, 1961) was the 1st Prime Minister of Morocco between December 7, 1955, and April 15, 1958. Bekkay held the rank of colonel in the French army. He was the first Prime Minister of Morocco since its independence from the French and Spanish Protectorates.

Early life
Mbarek Bekkaï was born on April 18, 1907, in Berkane, in the northeast of Morocco. He belonged to the Berber Béni-Snassen tribe.

He attended the Military School of Dar El Beida, the present military academy of Meknes, from which he went out to lieutenant and joined the French army. He served excellently in World War II and rose to lieutenant colonel rank.

Career
In 1939, in response to the Sultan's call, he went to France to participate in the World War II. At that time, he was wounded in the leg and subjected to captivity and subsequently transferred to Germany, and as a result of his severe injury to his leg, it was amputated.

In 1942, he became Caïd in Bni Drar. He was retired as 90% war invalid and was appointed captain in 1943. He became Pasha of Sefrou in 1944. He left active service in the French army in 1946 and was promoted to reserve lieutenant colonel in 1953.

He is one of the few pashas to have protested in 1953 against the deposition of Sultan Mohammed V, resigning from his post at Sefrou. He writes this telegram:

"Not approving the coup de force which provoked the deposition of HM the Sultan of Morocco, and which I consider illegal on all counts, I have decided to resign from my duties as Pasha of Sefrou in order to be faithful in my soul and conscience. I cannot, in fact, serve a regime which I hold to be illegal. »

He had the honor to sign the act of independence of Morocco on March 2, 1956, with Christian Pineau representing France, and April 7 with Martin Artajo representing Spain.

He resigned as Prime Minister during the May 1958 crisis, which was created by the refusal to allow the People's Movement Party.

Death
Confronted with "recurrent health problems", he died in Rabat on April 12, 1961 – 45 days after King Mohammed V - and was buried in his hometown.

Awards

 * Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures
 * Croix de Guerre 1939–1945
 * Legion of Honour