Thami El Glaoui

Thami El Glaoui, also Tihami al - Glawi (* 1870, † January 23, 1956 ) was leader of the Berber Glaoui and Pasha of Marrakech from 1918 until 1955.

The origin of Thami El Glaoui is uncertain. He was a foundling, which was found in 1870 at the age of just a few days on the steps of the largest mosque in Marrakech. From one of the most influential clans in southern Morocco, he was adopted and raised; In 1918, he brought it to the leader of this clan. As Pasha of Marrakech, he supported his pro-French policy, the protectorate of France over Morocco (since 1912). For this he was de facto independent control his rule in southern Morocco, he expanded even further, so that he soon mastered 1/8 of the country.

After the Second World War, the French government came under increasing pressure the Moroccan nationalist movement. In addition to fighting the Nationalists El Glaoui wanted to reach the overthrow of Sultan Muhammad V, who had in 1947 in the speech of Tangier supports the national movement in Morocco.

So El Glaoui came in February 1951 with his troops to Fez and Rabat before and forced Muhammad V to dismiss the nationalists from the government. However, this pressure increased the popularity of the Sultan considerably. After El Glaoui in 1953 even attended the coronation of Elizabeth II, he could force in August 1953 with a new campaign to northern Morocco, the deposition of Muhammad V by the French collaborators.

However, France could not stop even with the support of El Glaoui, the independence movement in Morocco and had to get back to Morocco and as Sultan Muhammad V. 1955 Refit from exile. With the independence of Morocco (1956 ) El Glaoui France lost with his most powerful allies and Muhammad V had to submit. In the following period the power of the clans of El Glaoui was broken in southern Morocco. El Glaoui died in 1956 at the age of 85 years.