Latest news with #RifNationalistParty
Ya Biladi
3 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
The Rif separatist party acknowledges Spain's «sovereignty» over Ceuta and Melilla
Following a recent gathering in Algiers, the so-called «Rif Nationalist Party» is now shifting its focus to Spain. In a surprising move, the party, which identifies as «Rif nationalist», has publicly recognized Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, echoing the position of another separatist group, the Polisario Front. «For us, Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish territories. This is an undeniable historical fact», declared Ridouane Oussama, leader of the separatist movement, in an interview with a Madrid-based newspaper. The statement appears aimed at reassuring Spanish political, military, and security circles. With backing from Algiers, the Rif separatist group is seeking to establish a branch in Melilla. Oussama argues that Spain has a responsibility to support his party's secessionist aspirations. By helping to «liberate a people», he claims, Spain could «correct a historical mistake», a tactic reminiscent of the Polisario Front's long-standing appeals for support from Madrid. «An independent Rif would allow Spain to resolve internal challenges, particularly around security and terrorism», Oussama asserted. In exchange for Spanish support, he promises Madrid «a friendly neighbor across the border». He emphasized what he described as enduring cultural ties between the Rif and Spain: «The Rif and the Spanish, especially in the south, share a cultural blend. We are very close culturally. The population there is made up of 50% Rifains and 50% Spaniards», he said. Oussama went further, arguing that «Spain has an interest in an independent Rif, as it would help ease Morocco's pressure on issues like immigration and territorial claims over Ceuta and Melilla». He even praised Spain's former colonial presence in the Rif: «Our grandparents tell us the Spanish occupation was better than the Moroccan one», he claimed. In making this statement, he disregards the suffering of thousands of Rif residents who were victims of chemical attacks by Spanish forces in the 1920s, an episode still remembered by certain segments of Spanish society. It's worth recalling that in November 2021, two Catalan parties, the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) and Together for Catalonia (Junts).called on the Spanish government, through a non-binding resolution, to formally apologize for the use of chemical weapons against civilians in the Rif.
Ya Biladi
7 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
With the support of Algiers, the «Rif Separatist Party» aims to establish a branch in Melilla
The meeting organized by the «Rif Nationalist Party» on Saturday, July 20, in Algiers led to the establishment of a new branch in Melilla. «The leadership of this separatist branch has been assigned to Ali Aarrass, a former terrorism convict in Morocco who was released in April 2020. He also heads the 'Rif Observatory for Human Rights', an entity affiliated with the same party», a source familiar with the matter disclosed to Yabiladi. The selection of Aarrass is particularly noteworthy. Born in Melilla, he has maintained a robust support network following his twelve-year imprisonment in Morocco, which includes prominent figures within this enclave. «In Algiers, he was accompanied by a Spanish journalist and a Belgian national», the source further revealed. Ali Aarrass was the focal point of last weekend's meeting in Algiers, as demonstrated by his statements to official Algerian media. The «Rif Nationalist Party» is thus rallying Rifains who are disillusioned or at odds with Morocco. This initiative to establish a branch of the «Rif Nationalist Party» is part of a broader Algerian strategy to enhance its influence in Melilla. It is worth recalling that in 2019, Algerian authorities attempted to leverage religious outreach by negotiating directly with Youssef Kaddour, president of the Annour Islamic Commission of Melilla, to allow Algerian imams and preachers access to certain mosques in the enclave, in exchange for sending Algerian tourists to Melilla.
Ya Biladi
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Rif separatist party joins Polisario campaign against Bouayach's Mandela Prize nomination
A separatist party from Morocco's Rif region has joined the Polisario's campaign opposing the nomination of Amina Bouayach, president of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), for the 2025 Nelson Mandela Human Rights Prize awarded by the United Nations. In a statement issued from Paris, the self-proclaimed «Rif Nationalist Party» voiced strong opposition to Bouayach's candidacy for the prestigious award. The party described the nomination as «a grave insult to the memory and legacy of Nelson Mandela, a global symbol of the fight against injustice, torture, and oppression», alleging that the Kingdom of Morocco continues to commit serious human rights violations with impunity, particularly in the Rif region and the disputed Sahrawi territories. After laying out a detailed denunciation of the CNDH president's record, the party called on the Nelson Mandela Prize Committee to reject the nomination and «preserve the moral integrity of this prestigious award». It is worth noting that the «Rif Nationalist Party» previously echoed the Polisario's accusations against Morocco in January regarding the fire at the Danish NGO Global Aktion's headquarters. A coalition of associations in South America has also joined the Polisario's campaign against Bouayach's candidacy for the 2025 Nelson Mandela Prize.
