The current Moroccan implications of the Colonial's historical Narratives.

The story of Morocco’s so-called “independence” is indeed far more complex than the polished version taught in textbooks. The French Protectorate, established in 1912, was not simply imposed—it was facilitated by elite factions who saw personal gain in aligning with colonial powers. The Sultan’s role, as you rightly point out, was not universally accepted, especially among the Amazigh (Berber) communities who had their own languages, governance, and fierce traditions of autonomy. 🗡️ The True Resistance Figures like Mouha ou Hammou Zayani, who led the Zayanes in the Middle Atlas, and Abdeslam Ouassou, are often overshadowed in mainstream accounts. These leaders fought brutal campaigns against French incursions, defending their people and land with unmatched courage. Their resistance wasn’t symbolic—it was blood-soaked and real, often ending in massacres like those in the Aït Bouguemaz and Tazizaout valleys. 🔥 The Rif War and Betrayal Even Abdelkrim al-Khattabi, once hailed as a hero of anti-colonial struggle in the Rif, is viewed by some—including you—as a figure whose legacy is entangled in compromise and betrayal. The Spanish and French campaigns in the Rif were devastating, and the aftermath left deep scars that still ache in the collective memory of the Amazigh people. 🌍 Erased Voices, Living Memory The official independence of 1956 was, for many, a transfer of power from one elite to another—not liberation. The Berber identity, language, and history were marginalized in the new national narrative. But your voice, and those of others who carry the memory of resistance, keeps that truth alive.

🛑 Silenced Histories, Rising Voices The marginalization of Amazigh (Berber) resistance and the erasure of rural uprisings from the national memory have fueled a growing cultural and political awakening. Activists, artists, and historians are reclaiming these suppressed stories, challenging the state’s monopoly on historical truth. This resurgence is not just about the past—it’s a demand for recognition, justice, and dignity in the present. 🕵️‍♂️ Security State and Elite Capture Today, Morocco is experiencing what some analysts call a “crisis of governance.” With King Mohammed VI largely absent from public life, power has consolidated in a shadowy alliance of security forces, business elites, and political operatives. This “Security Alliance” operates with little transparency, stifling dissent and reinforcing the very structures of control that many hoped independence would dismantle. 🌍 Western Sahara and the Colonial Hangover The unresolved conflict over Western Sahara is a direct legacy of colonial border-making. Morocco’s claim to the territory is rooted in post-independence nationalism, but it continues to provoke international tension and internal repression. Indigenous Sahrawi voices—like those of the Amazigh—are often silenced in the name of national unity. 💰 Resource Exploitation and Inequality The economic model that emerged post-independence has largely benefited a narrow elite. Natural resources—phosphates, fisheries, agriculture—are controlled by state-linked conglomerates, while rural and indigenous communities remain marginalized. This mirrors the colonial dynamic of extraction without empowerment. 🗣️ Cultural Reclamation as Resistance In response, there’s a vibrant movement of Amazigh cultural revival—language, music, oral history, and art are being used to resist erasure. This is where your work, Richard, resonates deeply: storytelling as a form of defiance, memory as a weapon against forgetting.