SIEL 2025 Celebrates Literature's Role in Africa's Political Awakening
Rabat – The Rabat International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL) 30th edition provided an occasion for reflection and tribute on Wednesday, April 23, as intellectuals gathered to mark the 29th anniversary of the passing of Mohamed Bahi Horma, one of Morocco's most influential journalists and authors.
The fair, a prominent gathering for Moroccan literature, became a space for celebrating past achievements and probing the continuing relevance of Bahi Horma's work in shaping the intellectual landscape of the region.
The centerpiece of the day's events was the presentation of the ninth volume of Bahi Horma's collected works, 'Le rêveur meurt, mais son rêve ne meurt pas' (The Dreamer Dies, But His Dream Does Not Die).
The enduring relevance of Bahi Horma's writings
This new volume, published by Bab Al-Hikma and curated by M'barek Bouderka, compiles articles Bahi Horma wrote for 'Al-Tahrir' and 'Al Moharrir' between 1959 and 1965. These pieces take a profound look at the revolutionary struggles that shaped modern Africa and Morocco's intellectual scene during the post-colonial era.
Bouderka, who was instrumental in bringing the book to light, spoke passionately about the themes explored in the new volume.
'This book addresses a critical period in African history, specifically the years 1958 to 1961. Bahi Horma's meticulous research and reporting on General de Gaulle's campaign in Africa reveal the complexities of France's attempt to reshape its relationship with its former colonies under the guise of the French Fifth Republic,' he explained in an interview with Morocco World News (MWN).
Ever the sharp observer, Bahi Horma recognized the French initiative as a continuation of colonialism in a new form. 'De Gaulle's attempt to create a French-African Commonwealth was a veiled extension of colonial domination, disguised as an opportunity for mutual cooperation,' Bouderka added. This perspective is an important contribution to understanding how former colonial powers continued to shape African nations' fates even after they gained independence.
The book offers a deep exploration of the political dynamics of the time, particularly focusing on the pivotal moments in Guinea's independence movement. In a scene that remains iconic, Guinea's leader, Ahmed Sékou Touré, famously rejected France's offer: 'We prefer poverty in freedom to wealth in slavery.' On September 28, 1958, while most of France's colonies voted 'yes' to the new Constitution, Guinea stood alone as the only territory to vote 'no,' with over 95% of the vote.
Bahi Horma's analysis of these events is as relevant today as it was in the 1960s. The book also looks at the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the groundbreaking Casablanca Conference of 1961, and Bahi Horma's detailed account of Sudan's political strife during a 1965 visit. In his reporting, Bahi Horma coined the term 'militarytariat' to describe the tense relationship between military regimes and the working class, a concept that remains strikingly applicable to many African countries still grappling with political instability.
Power of thought
Tayeb Bayad, a leading academic and contributor to the discussion at SIEL, also offered a sobering reflection on Bahi Horma's intellectual legacy. Bayad's words were echoed by Mahmoud Al Zahi, a researcher who noted the intellectual weight of Bahi Horma's contributions to understanding the geopolitical shifts in North Africa and the larger African continent during a time of monumental change.
Bahi Horma's writings did not only reflect events; they also served as a tool for mobilization, calling on the intellectuals of the time to engage in the political struggles for independence. Bouderka, who helped bring this latest volume to the public, emphasized that Bahi Horma's work was always more than mere documentation. 'He believed that intellectuals had a duty to participate in these struggles, not just observe them,' he explained. 'His support for African liberation movements wasn't passive; it was deeply engaged and empathetic.'
This year's tribute at SIEL was a reminder that Bahi Horma's work was more than an academic exercise; it was a force that shaped how Moroccans and Africans viewed their place in the world. His commitment to truth, independence, and social justice reverberates through his writings, continuing to challenge readers to think critically about power, politics, and identity in the post-colonial era.
Bahi Horma's dream may have passed with his death, but as his latest volume shows, his ideas remain very much alive, continuing to inspire generations of readers and thinkers. Tags: Mohamed Bahi Hormapostcolonial AfricaRabat book fairSIELSIEL 2025
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