Latest news with #Rifains
Ya Biladi
6 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
23-07-2025
- 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
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco : Committee for the Liberation of Ceuta and Melilla rises from the ashes
Eleven years after its official dissolution, the Committee for the Liberation of Ceuta and Melilla is making a comeback—this time with a new name and broader objectives. Now known as the «Coordination Committee for the Defense of the Kingdom's Causes», the group aims to promote a renewed vision, according to its spokesperson Rachid Hssaine, who spoke to Yabiladi. Asked about the timing of this revival, Hssaine explained, «The participation of a Polisario delegation at the recent congress of Spain's People's Party in Madrid was a decisive trigger for reactivating the Committee». On the choice to rebrand, he said, «This decision was prompted by developments on both the national and regional scenes. Beyond advocating for the liberation of Ceuta, Melilla, and other islets occupied by Spain, and defending the Moroccan identity of the Sahara, we are also committed to fighting separatism in the Rif, which is backed by Algeria. We aim to persuade those swayed by Algerian propaganda to reconsider their stance». The new committee is made up primarily of Rifains, a feature Hssaine says could help advance its mission. In its founding statement, the Committee accused Algeria of «sowing discord by manipulating certain actors in the Rif region». It also reminded the self-proclaimed «Rifain Nationalist Party» that «Rifains have consistently demonstrated their loyalty to the Kingdom's core values and to the Alaouite throne». Wind Foils Planned Action at Leila Islet The committee held a meeting on Friday in Fnideq, gathering representatives of Moroccan associations and diaspora groups. Additional meetings are planned this weekend in Tangier. Meanwhile, the group had intended to stage an action on Saturday at Leila islet (known in Spain as Perejil). «A group of young people was ready to take the rock, but strong winds on Saturday forced us to postpone the operation», Hssaine said. Before its 2014 dissolution, the former «Committee for the Liberation of Ceuta and Melilla» organized symbolic incursions onto Mediterranean islets under Spanish control. The newly rebranded «Coordination Committee for the Defense of the Kingdom's Causes» is led by former parliamentary advisor Yahya Yahya. As a reminder, on March 11, the far-right Spanish party Vox submitted two written questions urging Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to publicly condemn Morocco's efforts to relaunch the former liberation committee.
