Rif Region: A decade after the uprising, leaders remain behind bars

The northern Rif mountains of Morocco marked the tenth anniversary of a protest movement sparked by the death of a local fishmonger. Ten years later, the central demands of the Hirak remain unmet, and its most visible leaders are still held in custody.

Six prominent figures from the movement are currently in prison. Nasser Zefzafi, identified as the movement's leader, serves a 20-year sentence. Nabil Ahamjik, who was arrested in 2017, also serves a 20-year term. His brother, Mohamed Ahamjik, states that Nabil was transferred between several prisons before being placed in Tangier.

The unrest began on 28 October 2016, when Mouhcine Fikri died after being crushed inside a rubbish truck in Al Hoceima. Fikri was attempting to retrieve his confiscated catch. Authorities initially allowed the protests to continue for several months. A crackdown began in late May, leading to the arrest of hundreds of people.

The state response escalated on 20 July, when riot police used tear gas and batons in Al Hoceima. The violence severely injured 22-year-old Imad el-Attabi. He died the following month. Historian Maati Monjib describes the uprising as one of the most substantial social movements in Morocco since King Mohammed VI ascended the throne in 1999.

Officials labeled the movement separatist. Monjib calls these accusations false, noting that the main imprisoned leaders never expressed separatist views. The crackdown extended beyond the region to affect the diaspora. Said El Amrani, a former journalist and activist living in Belgium, says at least 11 activists have been arrested upon arrival in Morocco since the movement began. Two were sentenced to prison, and one remains in jail.

Nabil Ahamjik continues his academic work from his cell. He completed a master's thesis on the Rif's relationship with the state at Mohammed I University in Oujda. He earned a grade of 18 out of 20 and received a recommendation for publication. Last month, he staged a 10-day hunger strike after authorities denied him adequate space for his doctoral research.

The region faces deep economic disparities. Youth unemployment stands at 37 percent. The Rif has the highest number of cancer patients in Morocco, a toll linked to chemical weapons used by Spain during the 1921 to 1926 Rif War. Hospitals and specialized equipment are located hours away from the region.

Infrastructure development has focused on Atlantic cities and tourist hotspots. Tangier benefits from the Tanger Med port and industrial zones. The Rif and other impoverished areas, such as the Atlas Mountains, have been left with fewer resources. A new faculty affiliated with the University of Tetouan was opened, and a hospital was recently built. El Amrani notes that the hospital lacks sufficient medical staff.

This summer, tens of thousands of people attempted to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Many were young Moroccans from the Rif. Tightened border controls have ended informal trade with the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla. El Amrani says many young people feel they have no future, leading them to risk crossing to Europe or moving to cities like Tangier and Tetouan.

The monarchy has faced increased criticism for its handling of dissent. Reports indicate a reliance on surveillance technologies, including the Pegasus spyware, and defamation campaigns. During the Gen Z protests last year, 6,000 people were arrested. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights states that around 700 remain in jail, including dozens of minors.