Morocco Makes Soekarno A Street Name In Today's History, May 2, 1960

President Soekarno cut the ribbon accompanied by King Mohammed V (right) during the inauguration of Jalan Soekarno in Rabat, Morocco on May 2, 1960. (Doc. Indonesian Embassy in Rabat)

JAKARTA History today, 63 years ago, May 2, 1960, King of Morocco, Mohammed V inaugurated the Sharia Al-Rais Ahmed Soekarno (now: Rue Morocco) road in the nation's capital, Rabat. The inauguration of the street name was carried out as a form of close relationship between Rabat-Jakarta.

It is also a form of appreciation to Bung Karno who fully supports all African countries for independence, including Morocco's independence. Previously, Bung Karno's attitude against colonialism and imperialism was second to none. His role against colonialism was able to inspire many parties.

Living under the auspices of colonialism full of misery. Soekarno also felt it. He had witnessed firsthand how his people were treated unfairly by the Dutch colonialists. The white master blackmailed the natives like dairy cows.

Colonialization then made Soekarno move to defend his people. The ideas of independence were introduced everywhere. No one doubts this. Even though Soekarno had to languish in prison, then exile. His efforts paid off when Indonesia was independent.

The narrative of his resistance to colonialism and imperialism has never been extinguished. Moreover, he has outlined the narrative with other national figures at the opening of the 1945 Constitution (UUD). Its contents state none other than that all colonialism above the world must be abolished.

As a form of seriousness, Indonesia, which in fact is a corn-based country, is able to host a major world conference. The Asia Africa Conference (KAA), his name. The conference which took place on April 18-24, 1955 in Bandung, became the stage for Asian and African countries to express their opposition to colonialism and imperialism. The eyes of the world then highlighted Soekarno's attitude behind the implementation of KAA.

The conference opened by President Soekarno as the host with the title of the speech 'Lahirlah Asia Baru and New Africa'. This Asia-Africa Conference gave birth to Dasa Sila Bandung, whose official name is Declaration on the Promotion of World Peace and Cooperation, this declaration inspires young countries who have just gained independence on these two continents.

Bung Karno's vision about the future of the tourism industry is very brilliant. The Indonesian nation should feel proud and happy to host one of the grand conferences, especially in the tourism sector," said Arifin Pasaribu in the book Hotel Indonesia (2014).

Soekarno's attitude in supporting the independence of countries in Africa received a positive response. Morocco, one of them. King Mohammed V has even been in good relations with Soekarno. This closeness then made the relationship between Jakarta and Rabat established.

This closeness then grew even more when Bung Karno visited Morocco on May 2, 1960. King Mohammed V then invited Soekarno to inaugurate a road in Rabat. The road was named by King Mohammad V under the name Sharia Al-Rais Ahmed Soekarno.

Later, the road was widely known as Rue Soekarno. Indonesia also does not want to lose. Indonesia also joined in naming the street in Jakarta as an element of Morocco. The name of the street is Casablanca Street (the city name of metropolitan in Morocco).

Besides Egypt, Bung Karno was named a street in Morocco. Amazingly, on May 2, 1960, this road was inaugurated directly by Bung Karno and King Mohammad V. Initially, this road was named Sharia Al-Rais Ahmed Soekarno, however, now known as Bale Soekarno, "said Abraham Panumbangan in the book The Uncensored of Bung Karno (2016).