The Accession of Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia to the United Nations in 1956
The year 1956 marked a pivotal moment in both the history of North Africa and the evolution of the United Nations as it navigated the rapidly changing landscape of international relations in the post-World War II era. The accession of Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia to the United Nations represented not merely administrative additions to the world body's membership rolls, but significant symbolic victories for the principles of self-determination and decolonization that were gaining momentum across the globe. These accessions occurred during a period of intense geopolitical tension, as the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union complicated the process of membership approval at the UN. The successful integration of these three nations into the international community reflected a carefully orchestrated diplomatic process that balanced competing interests while acknowledging the inevitable shift toward postcolonial sovereignty. This comprehensive analysis examines the complete historical context, political dynamics, and procedural details surrounding the accession of these three North African states, drawing on historical documents and official records to reconstruct the events of this transformative year in international diplomacy.
Historical Background and Colonial Context
The mid-1950s represented a crucial transitional period in international relations, characterized by the accelerating collapse of European colonial empires and the emergence of newly independent states across Africa and Asia. The United Nations, founded just a decade earlier in 1945, found itself at the center of this transformation, tasked with balancing its commitment to international stability with the rising demands for self-determination among colonized peoples. The organization's membership policies became a battleground for competing visions of global order, with the Western powers generally supporting a gradual, managed transition to independence, while the Soviet bloc more enthusiastically championed immediate decolonization as a means of gaining new allies in the Cold War. This geopolitical tension created a complex environment for processing new membership applications, as evidenced by the fact that from 1950 to 1955, Soviet vetoes in the Security Council had prevented the admission of any new members until a breakthrough "package deal" in 1955 allowed for the admission of sixteen states simultaneously.
The colonial histories of Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia, though distinct in their particulars, shared important commonalities that shaped their paths to independence and subsequent international recognition. Morocco had been established as a French protectorate with the signing of the Treaty of Fez in 1912, though Spain also maintained control over certain northern regions and the territory of Ifni. The French administration implemented significant economic and infrastructure development while systematically marginalizing traditional Moroccan institutions and the authority of the sultan. During World War II, Moroccan nationalist sentiment gained considerable momentum, encouraged in part by the Atlantic Charter's endorsement of self-determination and by sympathetic signals from American President Franklin Roosevelt, who in 1943 expressed support for Sultan Mohammed Ben Youssef in his quest for independence. From 1947 onward, the sultan deliberately distanced himself from the French protectorate administration, championing the Arab League and supporting the Istiqlal (Independence) Party, despite intense pressure from French authorities, including General Alphonse Juin, who threatened to depose him if he did not dissociate from nationalist elements.
Tunisia's experience followed a similar trajectory, having become a French protectorate in 1881 through the Treaty of Bardo. French administration centralized power while maintaining the ceremonial role of the bey, though actual authority resided firmly with the French resident-general. The Neo Destour (New Constitution) Party, founded in 1934 by Habib Bourguiba, emerged as the leading vehicle for Tunisian nationalism, advocating systematically for independence rather than mere reforms. During World War II, Tunisia became a battleground between Allied and Axis forces, with the eventual Allied victory leading to the transfer of authority to Free France in May 1943. The immediate deposition of Moncef Bey on allegations of collaboration with Germans further inflamed nationalist sentiments. The post-war period witnessed escalating tensions, with France launching a crackdown on political leaders in 1952 that included Bourguiba's arrest, followed by a series of terrorist attacks and reprisals that created conditions of near-civil conflict.
Sudan's colonial experience differed significantly from its North African counterparts, having been established as an Anglo-Egyptian condominium in 1899, a unique arrangement that theoretically placed Sudan under joint British and Egyptian administration but in practice ensured British dominance. The Sudanese independence movement gained momentum after World War II, complicated by competing visions regarding the country's relationship with Egypt. Some factions favored union with Egypt, while others advocated for complete independence, a division that shaped the political landscape as negotiations advanced. The changing political situation in Egypt itself, particularly the Free Officers Revolution of 1952 that overthrew the monarchy, altered the dynamics of the Sudan question, with the new Egyptian revolutionary government eventually recognizing the principle of Sudanese self-determination.
The Path to Sovereignty
Morocco's Independence Struggle
Morocco's journey to sovereignty intensified dramatically in 1953 when the French administration, working in concert with conservative colonial interests led by El Glaoui, the Pasha of Marrakech, orchestrated the exile of Sultan Mohammed Ben Youssef to Madagascar and replaced him with the more pliable Ben Arafa. This provocative action transformed what had been a political negotiation into a popular uprising, with nationalist groups forming the Moroccan National Front and launching an escalating campaign of demonstrations and attacks against French targets. The situation deteriorated rapidly, with anti-French demonstrations in December 1952 repressed with significant bloodshed. The intensity of the resistance, combined with growing international pressure—including the placement of the Moroccan question on the UN agenda in December 1952 at the behest of Arab states—convinced the French government of the necessity for a political solution.
The pivotal turning point came on November 6, 1955, when French Foreign Minister Antoine Pinay and Mohammed Ben Youssef signed the La Celle-St-Cloud agreements, which formally led to Moroccan independence and restored the sultan to the throne as Mohammed V. This diplomatic breakthrough acknowledged Morocco's right to sovereignty while establishing frameworks for continued cooperation with France. Ten days after signing the agreements, Mohammed V made his triumphal return to Rabat, marking the symbolic rebirth of the Moroccan nation. Morocco officially gained independence on March 2, 1956, following the signing of a joint declaration in Paris that replaced the Treaty of Fez that had established the protectorate in 1912. The restoration of the monarchy as the central institution of the independent Moroccan state provided crucial stability during the transition period and would shape the country's political development for decades to follow.
Tunisia's Independence Struggle
Tunisia's path to independence proceeded through a series of negotiated steps rather than a single dramatic breakthrough. The internal autonomy granted by French Prime Minister Pierre Mendès France on July 31, 1954, represented a crucial intermediate stage, acknowledging Tunisian self-government while maintaining French oversight in certain domains. This compromise failed to satisfy the ambitions of Habib Bourguiba and the Neo Destour Party, who continued to press for complete sovereignty. The formation of the first government composed entirely of Tunisians on September 17, 1955, created the institutional framework through which Tunisians could demonstrate their capacity for self-rule.
The final negotiations between French and Tunisian representatives culminated in the March 20, 1956, agreement that granted Tunisia full independence. This carefully orchestrated transition allowed for the peaceful transfer of power while preserving certain French economic and strategic interests, particularly regarding military bases. The political maturity demonstrated by Tunisian leaders during this process earned international respect and facilitated subsequent recognition by other nations. Following independence, elections resulted in a decisive victory for Neo Destour and established Habib Bourguiba as the dominant figure in Tunisian politics, first as prime minister and subsequently as president when the republic was proclaimed in 1957. Bourguiba's modernizing vision and pro-Western orientation would significantly influence Tunisia's international positioning, including its approach to United Nations membership.
Sudan's Unique Path to Independence
Sudan's transition to independence was distinctive, shaped by its unusual constitutional status as an Anglo-Egyptian condominium. The critical breakthrough came with the signing of the Anglo-Egyptian Agreement of 1953, which established a transitional period of self-government leading to full self-determination. This agreement represented a compromise between British interests in maintaining influence and Egyptian aspirations for unity with Sudan, while ultimately prioritizing the right of the Sudanese people to determine their own future. The agreement provided for a Sudanese parliament and government with substantial authority, while British and Egyptian officials gradually withdrew from administrative roles.
The parliamentary elections held in 1953 resulted in victory for the National Unionist Party, which initially favored union with Egypt, though its position would later evolve toward support for complete independence. The successful experience of self-government during the transitional period built confidence in Sudan's capacity for sovereignty and diminished opposition to independence from within the political class. On January 1, 1956, Sudan officially declared its independence, becoming the first sub-Saharan African country to gain sovereignty following World War II. This carefully managed transition, remarkable for its relative peacefulness compared to other decolonization struggles, positioned Sudan as a potential model for orderly transfer of power and facilitated its rapid acceptance by the international community.
The United Nations Admission Process
The admission of new members to the United Nations follows a carefully prescribed procedure outlined in Article 4 of the UN Charter, which states that "Membership in the United Nations is open to all other peace-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the present Charter and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations." The process requires a dual approval mechanism: first, the Security Council must recommend the applicant state through a resolution that requires at least nine affirmative votes from the fifteen Council members, with no veto from any of the five permanent members (China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States). Following this recommendation, the General Assembly must admit the state by a two-thirds majority vote of members present and voting.
This procedural framework had become politically charged during the early Cold War period, with membership applications often falling victim to geopolitical rivalries. The period from 1950 to 1955 witnessed a virtual freeze on UN expansion due to repeated Soviet vetoes of states aligned with the West, and corresponding Western vetoes of Soviet-backed applicants. This deadlock was finally broken in 1955 through what became known as the "package deal," which allowed for the simultaneous admission of sixteen states representing both blocs, establishing an important precedent for the admission of multiple states together to avoid political blockages. This breakthrough created the procedural template that would facilitate the admission of Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia the following year.
The United States position regarding UN membership during this period was articulated in internal documents that noted: "When Japan is prepared to press its application for admission, the United States in consultation with Japan should be prepared to initiate or support a proposal that the Security Council be convened without delay to recommend admission of Japan." This proactive approach to supporting aligned states reflected the broader American strategy of expanding the community of nations friendly to Western interests within UN structures. Meanwhile, the Soviet position typically linked the admission of Western-aligned states with that of Soviet-supported applicants, creating the complex diplomatic mathematics that characterized membership negotiations during this period.
Table: United Nations Security Council Membership Process in 1956
| Stage | Key Requirements | 1956 Context |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Formal submission to UN Secretary-General | Straightforward for Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia |
| Security Council Consideration | 9 of 15 votes required, no permanent member vetoes | Favorable conditions with limited opposition |
| General Assembly Approval | Two-thirds majority of members present and voting | Routine following Security Council recommendation |
| Final Admission | Formal notification and seating in General Assembly | Completed for all three states in November 1956 |
The UN Accession of Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia in 1956
Security Council Consideration and Recommendation
The applications of Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia for United Nations membership progressed through the Security Council with remarkable speed and minimal opposition, especially when contrasted with the contentious membership battles of the preceding years. This smooth passage reflected both the undeniable legitimacy of their recently acquired sovereignty and careful diplomatic preparation by the states supporting their admission. According to historical documents from the U.S. State Department, "Three applicants have been recommended for United Nations membership by the Security Council since the Tenth Session of the General Assembly—the Sudan, Morocco, and Tunisia." The specific Security Council resolutions formally recommending each state for membership were:
Sudan: Recommended through Security Council Resolution 112
Morocco: Recommended through Security Council Resolution 115 adopted on June 20, 1956
Tunisia: Recommended through Security Council Resolution 116
The voting patterns on these resolutions demonstrated broad international consensus, with Security Council Resolution 115 regarding Morocco receiving 11 votes in favor, none against, and no abstentions, reflecting the complete absence of opposition to Moroccan membership. This unanimous support contrasted sharply with the divisive debates surrounding other potential members at the time, such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Vietnam, whose applications were repeatedly vetoed by the Soviet Union. A U.S. position paper from November 1956 noted these continuing challenges: "Three other applicants found qualified for admission to the United Nations by the General Assembly remain outside the Organization because of Soviet vetos in the Security Council. These are Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Viet-Nam." The successful recommendation of the three North African states thus occurred against the backdrop of ongoing membership controversies that reflected the broader geopolitical fissures of the Cold War.
General Assembly Approval and Formal Admission
The General Assembly formally completed the admission process for all three nations on November 12, 1956, during the first plenary meeting of the Eleventh Session of the General Assembly. According to historical records, the Assembly "unanimously adopted three separate draft resolutions, submitted by 23 nations, admitting the Sudan, Morocco, and Tunisia, respectively, to membership." This simultaneous but separate admission acknowledged the distinct national identities and independent paths to sovereignty each state had traversed, while grouping them together for administrative efficiency. The sponsorship of their admission by twenty-three nations represented broad cross-regional support and indicated the international legitimacy conferred upon these newly independent states.
The official UN records confirm the specific dates of admission for each country:
Sudan: November 12, 1956
Morocco: November 12, 1956
Tunisia: November 12, 1956
This formal admission granted each nation full participation rights in the General Assembly, including voting privileges and the opportunity to representation in various UN organs and specialized agencies. The timing of their admission, at the opening of the new General Assembly session, facilitated their immediate integration into the workings of the organization during a period of intense international crisis, most notably the Suez Crisis and the Hungarian Uprising, both of which dominated the agenda of the Eleventh Session.
Historical Significance and Immediate Impact
The admission of Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia to the United Nations in 1956 carried profound symbolic importance beyond the mere expansion of UN membership rolls. These accessions represented the legitimization of decolonization through the premier international institution, establishing a precedent that would facilitate the admission of dozens of newly independent states in the coming decade. Their successful integration into the international system demonstrated that former colonies could assume equal standing alongside established nations, fundamentally transforming the character and composition of the United Nations itself.
The timing of their admission during the Suez Crisis, which directly involved two permanent Security Council members (France and the United Kingdom) attacking another UN member state (Egypt), highlighted the complex political environment these new members were entering. Their positions on this crisis, particularly Morocco and Tunisia's solidarity with Egypt as Arab nations, immediately positioned them within specific geopolitical blocs while demonstrating their sovereignty in international affairs. Their votes and voices in General Assembly debates on the crisis, particularly regarding the establishment of the first United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF), represented their inaugural participation in the central peacekeeping function of the world body.
From the perspective of the United Nations itself, the smooth admission of these states represented a procedural victory and a temporary respite from the membership blockages that had characterized the early Cold War period. A U.S. position paper from November 1956 observed with satisfaction that "these three states were admitted without difficulty at the opening plenary of the Eleventh Session," contrasting this with the continued exclusion of other candidates due to political vetos. This success established a template for the admission of newly independent states that would be repeatedly followed as decolonization accelerated, ultimately transforming the United Nations from a predominantly Western-dominated institution to a more truly global organization with substantially different priorities and concerns.
Broader Historical Context and Legacy
The accession of Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia to the United Nations occurred during a period of significant transformation in the international system, as the organization struggled to adapt to the rapid pace of decolonization while navigating the treacherous waters of Cold War rivalry. The successful admission of these states established an important procedural precedent that would smooth the path for numerous other newly independent nations in subsequent years, particularly as the "Year of Africa" in 1960 would bring seventeen new African members to the UN. The efficient processing of their applications demonstrated that the membership mechanism could function effectively when geopolitical interests aligned, even as other applications remained stalled due to superpower competition.
The contrasting fates of different membership applications during this period highlighted the political selectivity of the admission process. While Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia gained relatively easy entry, other candidates deemed qualified by the General Assembly remained outside the organization. As documented in U.S. State Department records from the time: "Three other applicants found qualified for admission to the United Nations by the General Assembly remain outside the Organization because of Soviet vetos in the Security Council. These are Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Viet-Nam." This selective admission reflected the complex calculus of Cold War politics, wherein the superpowers routinely exchanged vetoes to block states aligned with their adversaries while promoting the membership of friendly governments.
The long-term impact of these accessions on the United Nations itself cannot be overstated. The influx of newly independent states from Africa and Asia fundamentally altered the political dynamics within the General Assembly, shifting attention toward development issues, decolonization, and the rectification of global economic inequalities. This transformation would find institutional expression through the establishment of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 1964 and the formulation of the New International Economic Order in the 1970s. Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia, as among the first sub-Saharan and North African states to join the UN following the 1955 "package deal," thus served as pioneers in this dramatic reorientation of the organization's priorities and concerns.
For the nations themselves, UN membership provided crucial international legitimacy for their newly sovereign governments and access to diplomatic channels that could support their development objectives and security concerns. Each state would develop distinct patterns of engagement with the world body: Tunisia under Bourguiba maintained generally pro-Western positions while actively participating in peacekeeping missions; Morocco leveraged its UN platform to advance its claims regarding the Western Sahara; and Sudan navigated complex regional politics while dealing with its own internal conflicts. Their individual trajectories within the UN system reflected their unique national interests and geopolitical orientations, while their collective presence contributed to the emergence of the "Global South" as a meaningful political bloc within international diplomacy.
Conclusion
The accession of Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia to the United Nations in 1956 represents far more than a simple administrative episode in the history of the world organization. These events encapsulated the powerful historical forces of decolonization, self-determination, and Cold War competition that defined the mid-twentieth century international system. The successful admission of these three North African states reflected both the irresistible momentum of independence movements and the capacity of the United Nations to adapt to a rapidly changing global landscape, even amid significant geopolitical tensions.
For the peoples of Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia, UN membership represented a crucial affirmation of their sovereign equality in the community of nations, a symbolic culmination of their struggles for independence, and a practical mechanism for advancing their interests on the global stage. For the United Nations itself, these accessions marked the beginning of a transformative expansion that would fundamentally alter the organization's character, priorities, and operations in the coming decades. The efficient processing of their applications amidst continued membership blockages for other states demonstrated the complex interplay of principle and power politics that has consistently characterized international institutions.
The story of these accessions thus provides a revealing window into a pivotal moment of transition, as the international system grappled with the dissolution of colonial empires and the emergence of a new world order. The successful integration of Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia into the United Nations established important precedents that would facilitate the subsequent admission of dozens of newly independent states, ultimately transforming the UN from a predominantly Western club to a more truly universal organization. Their journey from protectorates and condominiums to equal membership in the premier global institution remains a powerful testament to the enduring appeal of self-determination as a governing principle of international affairs, even as the implementation of this principle continues to evolve in response to changing global circumstances.
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