Youba al-Ghadioui, Rif Activist: Unveiling Compelling Evidence that Challenges the Moroccan Identity of the Rif Region; Advocating for an Uprising Against Corruption and Injustice – Exclusive Interview
BY: Hana Saada
Düsseldorf, Germany – October 10, 2023 – In an exclusive interview with Algerian channel Dzair Tube, Youba al-Ghadioui, leader of the Rif National Party and a prominent Riffian activist in exile, affirmed that the Rif is not Moroccan and shared disturbing revelations about the atrocities faced by Rif detainees in Moroccan prisons. Al-Ghadioui accused the Moroccan regime of genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Riffian people and called for the establishment of a provisional government to address these grave injustices.
Al-Ghadioui, who currently resides in Germany, emphasized that the term “Rif movement” is a misnomer. He asserted that the Riffians are not organizing a movement but rather a revolution against the Moroccan occupier. This revolution, he stressed, is grounded in international legitimacy and international law, which recognizes the right to self-determination for all peoples. Furthermore, he argued that there is no historical evidence linking the Rif to the Emirate of Fez or Marrakech, while presenting historical facts to support his statements.
“On the contrary, we, the people of the Rif, possess substantial evidence supporting our distinct identity apart from being Moroccans. Firstly, a pivotal event that underscores this distinction is the actions of Sultan Youssef Al-Alaoui in 1926. This sultan, known for his treacherous collaboration with France and Spain, actively sided against the Rif’s population. Supporting this statement is the testimony of Moroccan historian Ali Al-Idrissi, who documented that Sultan Youssef Al-Alaoui recruited over 400,000 Moroccan mercenaries to fight alongside France and Spain. Secondly, further evidence arises from the fact that on July 14, 1926, just a few weeks following the exile of Mohammad bin Abd al-Karim al-Khattabi, the President of the Rif Republic, the disloyal Sultan Yusuf al-Alaoui traveled to France to celebrate the Rif Republic’s downfall, aligning himself with France and Spain. This starkly demonstrates that we maintain a distinct identity apart from Moroccans,” he underlined.
“The Rif,” he further noted, “has suffered immensely at the hands of Morocco, and the international community must take notice.”
Al-Ghadioui went on to detail the horrifying conditions faced by Riffian detainees in Moroccan prisons, including evidence of physical and psychological torture, as well as rape. He cited Nasser Zefzafi, a prominent Riffian activist serving a twenty-year sentence, who had sent a message from prison confirming that he had been raped. Al-Ghadioui asserted that rape has been used as a common tool by the Moroccan regime against its opponents, dating back to 1958, 1959, and 1984.
Highlighting the military presence in the Rif, including the joint military base between Morocco and the Zionist entity in Nador, Al-Ghadioui expressed concerns about the region being surrounded militarily with the aim of harming Algeria.
Al-Ghadioui called upon the European world to acknowledge the plight of the Rif, noting that Europe receives thousands of refugees fleeing the oppressive Moroccan regime. He noted that Europe’s silence on the issue makes it complicit in the suffering of the Riffian people.
He said in this regard, “We want to raise awareness about the plight of the Rif region, even though Europe is already well-informed about our suffering and the genocide and ethnic cleansing under the Moroccan occupation. Europe, which witnesses the arrival of countless boats carrying Riffian refugees oppressed by the occupying Moroccan regime, is fully cognizant of our tragic situation. However, their silence persists, indicating complicity, as history has shown, such as the events of 1926 when the Rif president surrendered with the involvement of European countries.”
Explaining the purpose of the Rif National Party, Al-Ghadioui clarified that it was established to represent all Riffians, both on the Riffian soil and abroad, and to advocate for their rights on the international stage. He expressed his commitment to continue the path towards achieving independence for the Rif and suggested that a provisional government might be a future demand, depending on the evolving political circumstances.
“Our intention is not to establish a party exclusively for us, but rather to create a platform where all Riffians, both at home and abroad, can have their voices heard. This political institution will represent the Riffian people and advocate for their cause in international forums. One of our primary objectives is to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors, who achieved independence and established the first Rif republic in contemporary history, which lasted for approximately seven years. We are determined to continue on this path until we regain our independence, which necessitates responsible leadership. Undoubtedly, the Riffians will eventually demand a provisional government, either within the region or abroad, depending on the prevailing political circumstances, a matter we consider self-evident,” he said.
And to add: “Regarding the establishment of the Rif National Party, the Makhzen’s attempt to rebrand it as a nationalist party, not a national one, must be clarified. Its inception aims to address the popular demands of Riffians, providing direction to their struggle against persecution and atrocities under the Moroccan regime. People are looking to us to seek justice for the crimes committed against them and to champion the rural cause on the global stage.”
Turning to the issue of corruption within the Moroccan monarchy, Al-Ghadioui accused the Alaouite family of embezzling the Morocans’s wealth, pointing to their lavish palaces, cars, and substantial offshore holdings. He asserted that King Mohammed VI is one of the wealthiest individuals globally, while the Moroccan people continue to suffer in poverty.
“The rampant corruption within this family, coupled with their exploitation of the Moroccan population’s resources, remains an open secret. The conspicuous displays of vast wealth, including extravagant palaces and an extensive fleet of luxury cars, serve as irrefutable proof. King Mohammed VI stands as one of the wealthiest individuals globally, with billions stashed away in various international banks. Paradoxically, despite the ruling family’s opulence, the Moroccan people find themselves among the most impoverished on the global scale. The recent earthquake in Marrakech starkly underscored the stark contrast between the dire living conditions of the Moroccan populace and the extravagant affluence of the ruling clan,” he underscored, adding: “We must ponder how a single monarch can wield control over such a substantial portion of a country’s economy.”
In closing, Al-Ghadioui implored the free Moroccan people to rise up against the corrupt monarchy, which protects Western interests in the region.
“In light of these stark disparities, we call upon the free-spirited Moroccan populace to unite against this corrupt dynasty that perpetuates oppression, all while the West remains conspicuously silent. It is disheartening to witness Western powers showing a clear bias in favor of this regime, particularly when Western nations pride themselves on upholding human rights. The apparent justification for this support lies in the ruling family’s role in safeguarding Western interests within the region,” Al-Ghadioui urgued.
He further emphasized that his party is diligently striving to safeguard itself against any attempts at infiltration. Despite the Makhzani regime’s utilization of espionage tools such as Pegasus, the party, which originally operated clandestinely and only went public on September 16, 2023, successfully resisted any penetration. This resilience was largely due to the Riffians’ unwavering dedication to their cause, which directly contrasted with the Makhzani regime’s difficulties in undermining the deep-rooted commitment of Riffian communities to their own beliefs and aspirations.
Youba al-Ghadioui’s interview sheds light on the ongoing struggle of the Riffian people and their quest for justice, self-determination, and an end to human rights abuses under the Moroccan regime.
