Oussama Ridouane: A Leader Driven by Passion and Vision. He is the first elected President of the National Rifian Party (PNR), a pivotal figure in promoting the aspirations of the Rif community. As a co-founder of the party, established in September 2021 in Brussels, Oussama has played a significant role in shaping the movement’s direction and goals.

Rooted in his dedication to advocacy and social justice, Oussama’s leadership is marked by a commitment to empowering the Rifian people, fostering unity, and amplifying their voice on the political stage. His efforts are inspired by the activism of the Rif Hirak movement, based in Europe, which campaigns for cultural recognition, economic development, and human rights for the Rif region.

Through his work, Oussama Ridouane embodies the spirit of resilience and hope, working tirelessly toward a brighter future for the Rif community and inspiring others to participate in constructive change. Koldo Salazar López for Otralectura make an interview to him.

Spanish version of the interview click here.

Question: What is the Riffian National Party (PNR) founded and what are the objectives of the PNR?

I. Presentation of the Riffian National Party

The Riffian National Party (PNR) is a political organization for national liberation, founded by and for the Riffian people, with the purpose of reclaiming their confiscated sovereignty. It draws its roots from the historic struggle of the Republic of the Rif, proclaimed in 1921 under the leadership of Mohamed Ben Abdelkrim El Khattabi, the first modern Riffian head of state and a prominent figure of anti-colonial resistance. This foundational moment—violently suppressed by Spanish and French colonial powers with the complicity of the Moroccan monarchy—remains the bedrock of Riffian national consciousness.

The PNR stands today as the political and moral continuation of that first independence, interrupted but never forgotten. It represents a structured and modern response to a century of marginalization, repression, and denial of Riffian identity by the Moroccan regime. It is a nationalist, democratic, secular, and progressive movement, uniting a wide popular base composed of civil society actors, youth, women, human rights activists, and the Riffian diaspora around the world.

A- Clear Mission in Service of the Riffian People

The PNR is guided by a clear political agenda, structured around four key pillars:

1. Defending the Riffian People’s Fundamental Right to Self-Determination

The PNR asserts that the Riffian people form a distinct national community, with their own history, culture, language, and ancestral territory. In line with the United Nations Charter (Article 1 §2) and UN General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) on decolonization, the PNR demands full recognition of the Rif’s right to self-determination as the foundation for future independence.

The party actively advocates for international recognition of the Riffian cause, seeking its inclusion on the United Nations’ decolonization agenda, and working to raise awareness within the European Union, the African Union, and other international institutions.

2. Ending the Colonial, Economic, Military, and Cultural Domination of the Moroccan Regime. Since the annexation of the Rif into post-colonial Morocco, the region has suffered systemic domination in multiple forms:

• Colonial, through the erasure of its history, its collective memory, and its national heroes.

• Economic, via the exploitation of natural and human resources without local benefit.

• Military, with the Rif being one of the most heavily militarized regions in North Africa.

• Cultural, through forced Arabization, the suppression of the Amazigh Riffian language (Tarifit), and the repression of indigenous identity.

The PNR is committed to dismantling this oppressive structure, restoring the dignity and sovereignty of the Riffian people, and establishing new, equal relations with regional and global partners.

3. Building a Democratic, Secular, and Pluralistic Riffian State Based on Human Rights.

Riffian independence is not simply a matter of changing flags; it is about building a genuine state of law and democracy. The PNR is committed to establishing a democratic Riffian Republic, founded on:

• Separation of powers and constitutional checks and balances.

• An independent and accessible judiciary.

• Full respect of universal human rights, including freedom of expression, freedom of belief, women’s rights, and protection of children and minorities.

• Secularism, ensuring the neutrality of the state in religious matters.

• Political pluralism, with free and transparent elections.

The future Riffian state will guarantee equal participation in public life to all citizens, including those living abroad.

4. Encouraging the Return of Millions of Riffians in Exile and Rebuilding the National Economy

Over four million Riffians live in exile, mainly in Europe, as a result of political persecution, mass unemployment, and chronic underdevelopment imposed by the Moroccan regime. This diaspora—often highly skilled, resilient, and deeply attached to its roots—is a strategic asset for national reconstruction.
The PNR is preparing a voluntary and organized remigration policy, which includes:

• Tax incentives and investment programs for Riffians abroad.

• Social and professional reintegration measures.

• The creation of a Ministry for the Diaspora and Returnees to coordinate migration policies.

• The launch of major national reconstruction projects:

infrastructure, hospitals, schools, industrial zones, and renewable energy.

The objective is clear: to make the Rif once again a land of opportunity and hope, where return is not a dream but a viable reality.

Conclusion

The Riffian National Party is more than a political party—it is a liberation movement, a blueprint for national rebuilding, and a beacon of hope for an entire people. Its struggle is rooted in international legality, in the global anti-colonial tradition, and in a firm commitment to breaking the cycle of domination and humiliation.

The PNR calls upon the international community not to remain silent in the face of this injustice, but to actively support the Rif’s decolonization process, and to recognize the legitimacy of a political project grounded in peace, democracy, and dignity.

Question: Since 1956, the Rif has been occupied by Morocco. How has this affected the region’s cultural and ethnic composition?

The year 1956, often celebrated as Morocco’s independence from colonial rule, marked for the Riffian people not liberation, but the beginning of a new occupation. Rather than a moment of emancipation, it represented a collective punishment for a region that had dared to assert its sovereignty. Power simply shifted from Spanish hands to Moroccan control, with no regard for the will of the Riffian people. This act of annexation ignored the clear and legitimate aspirations for independence already expressed by the Rif. In 1921, Mohamed ben Abdelkrim El Khattabi, President of the short-lived Republic of the Rif, addressed a formal Declaration of Independence to the League of Nations, calling for international recognition of the Riffian people’s right to self-determination.

Since the Moroccan military occupation, the Rif has been subjected to a systematic policy of cultural repression, forced assimilation, and identity erasure. The Amazigh (Berber) identity, particularly the Riffian variety of the Tarifit language has been deliberately marginalized.

The Riffian language was reduced to folkloric expression, tolerated only in popular music and informal speech, but excluded from schools, public institutions, and official media. A policy of forced Arabization was imposed to replace the region’s vibrant indigenous culture with a centralized Arab-Islamic national identity, dictated by the state.

For decades, Amazigh names were forbidden, making it impossible for families to register their children with traditional Riffian first names. This administrative violence was part of a broader strategy to erase the cultural distinctiveness of the Riffian people and impose linguistic and cultural conformity.
In addition, the history of the Rif has been deliberately falsified, distorted, or erased altogether. Riffian historical figures, especially Mohamed ben Abdelkrim El Khattabi, are absent from Moroccan school curricula, and when mentioned, are often portrayed negatively. The heroic resistance of the Riffian people against Spanish and French colonialism, the founding of the Republic of the Rif (1921–1926), and the sacrifices made by an entire generation have been wiped from the national narrative. This is not accidental it reflects a deliberate political agenda to erase the memory of a people by erasing its symbols, heroes, and foundational narratives.

This memory repression has been accompanied by demographic manipulation. The Moroccan state has encouraged the settlement of populations from outside the Rif in key urban areas, while Riffians themselves have been pushed into forced migration—whether to Moroccan cities or to Europe—through economic neglect and political persecution. The goal is clear: to dilute the ethnic and cultural cohesion of the Rif and to prevent the emergence of organized resistance.

Despite over six decades of cultural, linguistic, and historical repression, the Riffian people have not surrendered. Through the Hirak popular movement, grassroots cultural revival efforts, and a politically active diaspora, the memory of the Rif is being reclaimed and passed on. The spirit of the Republic of the Rif continues to inspire generations who refuse to forget. The Riffian people persist in demanding truth, dignity, and the right to self-determination.

Question: what is the state’s proposal? Abdelkrim Jattabi proposed a modern republic inspired by democracy and representativeness. Does the PNR seek the same?

Yes, absolutely. The Riffian National Party (PNR) draws direct inspiration from the political and philosophical legacy of Abdelkrim El Khattabi, the leader of the Rif Republic (1921–1926). Though short-lived, the Republic of the Rif was the first sovereign, republican experiment in North Africa, founded on the principles of popular sovereignty, justice, and anti-colonial resistance. It embodied a forward-thinking vision for governance, rooted in democracy, dignity, and international solidarity.

Today, the PNR continues that vision by advocating for the establishment of a modern, democratic, secular and ethical Riffian state — one based not only on the historical rights of the Riffian people, but also on universal human values and inclusive development. This vision stands in stark opposition to the model imposed by the Moroccan regime, which maintains a post-colonial system built on repression, economic dependency, and cultural assimilation.

At stake is a profound conflict between two competing visions of the Rif’s future:

On one side, the Moroccan regime, which:

• exploits migration as a tool of geopolitical blackmail.
• traps the Rif in an underground economy based on drugs and political patronage.
• deliberately marginalizes the region as a form of collective punishment.
• governs through repression and instrumentalizes religion to silence dissent.
• fosters a culture of impunity, corruption, and fear.  
  On the other side, the Rif National Party (PNR), which promotes:

1. Constructive remigration
   Unlike the regime, which treats the diaspora as a source of remittances while silencing its political voice, the PNR considers the Riffian diaspora (nearly 4 million people across Europe) a strategic asset. The PNR envisions voluntary and supported return as a cornerstone of national renewal. Its plan includes:

• housing and infrastructure programs for returnees,
• incentives for productive investment (tax exemptions, streamlined procedures),
• creation of a Diaspora Skills Bank to transfer knowledge, innovation, and technical expertise.

1. A responsible and therapeutic economy

While the Moroccan regime has tolerated and profited from illegal cannabis cultivation, the PNR offers a bold and ethical alternative: the controlled legalization of cannabis for medical and therapeutic use, aligned with WHO standards and global best practices. This model includes:

• the creation of a National Riffian Agency for Therapeutic Cannabis,
• partnerships with international pharmaceutical companies to process cannabis locally,
• certified agricultural cooperatives ensuring fair income for farmers,
• strict regulatory oversight for transparency, traceability, and public health.

1. Ethical and sovereign development

In response to decades of state neglect and underdevelopment, the PNR proposes a comprehensive development model based on:

• securing the legal environment to attract ethical investors,
• ecological planning (renewable energy, sustainable agriculture),
• support for the social and solidarity economy (cooperatives, mutuals, local entrepreneurship),
• a Riffian sovereign fund to channel investments from the diaspora and trusted partners.

1. A secular and inclusive democracy

In contrast to the Moroccan regime’s religious authoritarianism, the PNR advocates for a secular and pluralistic democratic state that ensures:

• a clear separation between religion and state,
• freedom of conscience, belief, and atheism,
• a constitution rooted in universal human rights,
• a pluralist parliament with a protected political opposition.

1. A just society founded on dignity

Whereas the Moroccan regime thrives on impunity, the PNR proposes a justice-based republic where:

• institutions are accountable before the law,
• the judiciary is independent and protected,
• an anti-corruption body is empowered to investigate and sanction abuse,
• the rights of women, children, minorities and workers are clearly defined and fully enforced.

Conclusion: A Civilizational Choice

The Rif can no longer remain trapped in a system of authoritarianism, criminalization, and repression. The struggle between the Moroccan regime and the PNR is not merely political — it is civilizational. It is a battle between the perpetuation of oppression and the emergence of a new, free, and just political order.

This is not just an internal issue, but a matter of international justice, European coherence, and regional stability. The Riffian National Party offers a serious, credible, and structured alternative, rooted in historical legitimacy and committed to building a sovereign, democratic, and dignified Rif Republic.

It is time for the international community to stop ignoring this reality and to support the Riffian people’s path to freedom, justice, and self-determination.

Question: A few years ago, we saw the Hirak protests in Morocco, which ended with significant repression in the Rif, the flight of some leaders, and the imprisonment of Nasser Zafzafi. What did this episode mean for the Riffian people?, What is known about Nasser Zafzafi? Are there reports suggesting he was tortured?

The Hirak Rif movement, which began in October 2016 after the tragic death of fish vendor Mohcine Fikri, was far more than a protest—it was a historic moment of collective awakening, national dignity, and civic mobilization. For the Riffian people, it reactivated the memory of past struggles, especially the anti-colonial legacy of the Rif Republic and Abdelkrim El Khattabi, while giving voice to urgent social and economic demands long ignored by the state.

The Hirak was profoundly peaceful, structured, and inclusive. Led by a new generation of educated youth, especially Nasser Zafzafi, the movement demanded access to healthcare, jobs, education, infrastructure, and above all, respect and justice. It became a vehicle of civic expression for a population long silenced, drawing international attention to the structural marginalization of the Rif.

The Moroccan regime responded not with reform, but with systematic and brutal repression:

• More than 1,000 people were arbitrarily arrested, including minors;
• Trials were marred by political interference, fabricated charges, and procedural violations;
• Leaders like Nasser Zafzafi were sentenced to 20 years in prison for peaceful activism;
• Torture and inhumane treatment of detainees were widely documented — and officially confirmed by both Amnesty International and Morocco’s own National Human Rights Council (CNDH).

This brutal response made one thing clear: peaceful protest in the Rif is criminalized, and the state views any form of dissent as a threat to its centralized power.

The repression extended beyond the territory of Morocco. One of the most tragic and emblematic cases is that of Ali Aarrass, a Riffian-Belgian citizen:

• Arrested in Spain in 2008 and extradited to Morocco despite warnings of potential torture;
• Held incommunicado, tortured in detention, and convicted in a deeply flawed trial based on confessions extracted under duress;
• Spent over 12 years in Moroccan prisons, despite international campaigns calling for his release, led by human rights defenders, Belgian parliamentarians, and UN experts.

The case of Ali Aarrass reveals how Riffian identity itself is criminalized, and how the Moroccan regime uses transnational repression, including diplomatic pressure and fabricated terrorism charges, to silence voices even in exile.

Yet, the Hirak did not die in prison or exile. It gave birth to a new generation of activists, thinkers, and diaspora leaders.

It transformed anger into political consciousness, protest into civic organization, and victimhood into resistance. The Hirak also reaffirmed the urgent need for international protection for the Riffian people, whose fundamental rights are violated both inside and outside Moroccan borders.

Above all, the Hirak remains a turning point a powerful symbol of nonviolent resistance, a demand for truth and justice, and a call for freedom, dignity, and sovereignty. It has become a foundational chapter in the Riffian national struggle a point of no return in the pursuit of liberation.

International Legal Violations in the Repression of the Hirak Movement Credible reports and statements by UN Special Rapporteurs have affirmed that the Moroccan state committed serious and systematic violations of international human rights law in its repression of the Hirak al-Shaabi movement in the Rif, particularly in the case of its emblematic leader, Nasser Zafzafi.

These violations include:

• Torture and inhuman treatment, in breach of Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the UN Convention Against Torture (CAT);
• Incommunicado detention, coerced confessions, and mass sentencing in violation of Articles 9 and 14 of the ICCPR (arbitrary detention and lack of fair trial guarantees);
• Lack of legal counsel during initial interrogations.
• Prolonged solitary confinement and targeted humiliation.
• Use of torture-derived confessions as key evidence during mass trials that lacked transparency, independence, and due process.
   
  These facts have been independently confirmed by several leading human rights organizations. For instance:
• Amnesty International (2018) and Human Rights Watch (2019) both documented that Zafzafi was beaten on the head and genitals, held in prolonged solitary confinement, and forced to sign confessions under duress, without access to legal counsel at key stages of his detention.
• A joint communication from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Special Rapporteur on Torture (Ref: AL MAR 3/2017) raised grave concerns over the detention conditions of Hirak leaders, calling on Morocco to comply with its obligations under international human rights law.

These abuses are not isolated. They form part of a systematic campaign of political repression that clearly undermines the possibility of internal self-determination for the Riffian people. Under international law, such conditions meet the threshold to trigger state responsibility under the Articles on State Responsibility (ASR), and further delegitimize Morocco’s claimed sovereignty over the Rif.

In light of these sustained violations, the situation aligns with the conditions described in UN General Assembly Resolution 2625 (1970) concerning the right to remedial secession in cases where a people is denied meaningful internal self-determination and subjected to repeated grave violations of human rights.

Question: What does the violation of human rights in the Rif by the Moroccan regime consist of?

The Moroccan state’s actions in the Rif do not represent isolated abuses but rather a systematic and multi-dimensional campaign of repression targeting the Riffian people in their civil, political, cultural, social, and economic rights. These violations form a pattern of structural persecution.

Due to their scope, recurrence, and intensity, these acts meet the threshold of gross and systematic violations of international human rights law, thereby activating international obligations under the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine.

1. Criminalization of Peaceful Dissent

Following the 2016–2017 Hirak al-Shaabi protests, over 1,000 Riffians were arbitrarily arrested, including teachers, artists, students, and unemployed youth whose only “crime” was demanding access to healthcare, jobs, and dignity.

High-profile figures such as Nasser Zafzafi and Nabil Ahamjik were sentenced to 20 years in prison after mass trials based on vague charges like “undermining state security.” These trials were widely criticized by international observers for lacking judicial independence, fairness, and transparency.

These actions violate Articles 9 and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

2. Use of Torture and Arbitrary Detention

Independent organizations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and EuroMed Rights have documented:

• Severe beatings (including to the head and genitals),
• Threats of electrocution and mock executions,
• Solitary confinement, denial of medical care, and lack of legal access,
• Forced confessions under torture, used as key evidence in court.

These abuses were officially acknowledged by the Moroccan National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and denounced in UN communications, notably a joint letter from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture (Ref: AL MAR 3/2017).

These violations contravene Articles 7, 9, and 14 of the ICCPR, and Articles 1 and 16 of the UN Convention Against Torture (CAT).

3. Cultural and Linguistic Erasure

The Moroccan regime has pursued a policy of cultural repression and forced assimilation in the Rif, amounting to what may be termed cultural cleansing:

• The Tarifit language remains excluded from public administration and is marginalized in the education system.
• Abdelkrim El Khattabi, hero of anti-colonial resistance, is erased from school curricula or vilified as a separatist.
• Riffian historical commemorations are often banned, censored, or violently suppressed by security forces.

These practices breach:

• Articles 8 and 13 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP);
• Article 27 of the ICCPR (minority cultural protection);
• Articles 17 and 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (cultural identity and right to resist oppression).

1. Economic and Social Marginalization

The Rif remains one of the most economically deprived regions of Morocco, with:

• One of the highest youth unemployment rates in the country,
• Neglect in state infrastructure investments,
• Criminalization of traditional livelihoods such as artisanal fishing and cannabis cultivation (despite its recent partial legalization), pushing thousands into forced migration or economic exile.

This marginalization is not accidental but forms part of a deliberate policy of collective punishment, long used by the Moroccan regime to suppress dissent.

These policies violate:

• Article 1(2) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) (right to freely pursue economic development),
• UNGA Resolution 41/128 (Declaration on the Right to Development).

Conclusion: A Case for International Responsibility

The Moroccan regime’s actions in the Rif constitute a sustained and institutionalized campaign of repression, aimed at silencing a distinct indigenous population through criminalization, cultural erasure, economic sabotage, and state violence.

These actions engage state responsibility under the Articles on State Responsibility (ASR) and delegitimize Morocco’s claims of legitimate sovereignty over the Rif. They also strengthen the legal case for remedial secession, as outlined in UN General Assembly Resolution 2625 (1970), where a people is denied internal self-determination and subjected to persistent human rights abuses.

The international community must recognize that the situation in the Rif is not an internal matter, but a crisis of international justice and legality. Silence is no longer a neutral stance it is complicity.

Question: Does the party have representation and international commissions to seek support from other countries and international organizations?

Yes. The Riffian National Party (PNR) has established international commissions and diplomatic cells dedicated to representing the Riffian cause abroad and mobilizing support from states, political parties, NGOs, and international institutions. As part of this strategy, the PNR has opened an official representation office in Algeria a country historically supportive of national liberation movements. This diplomatic presence marks a significant milestone in the internationalization of the Riffian struggle.

Moreover, the PNR has received political recognition and support from several influential parties across the African continent, particularly in South Africa and Mozambique two nations with a deep legacy of anti-colonial resistance. The Polisario Front, the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people and a key advocate for the right to self-determination, has also established fraternal ties with the PNR. These endorsements further strengthen the legitimacy of the Riffian cause under international law, particularly the right of peoples to self-determination.

Through its international commissions, the PNR takes part in conferences, meets with parliamentarians, publishes multilingual reports, and works to place the Riffian issue on the agenda of international organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, and Amnesty International. This active diplomacy seeks to break the isolation imposed on the Riffian people and to secure international protection, justice, and recognition for their cause.

Question: How has the geopolitical and diplomatic reaction of the Moroccan regime been to your presence and activities?

Since the emergence and increased visibility of the Riffian National Party (PNR) on the international stage, the Moroccan regime has exhibited a clear pattern of alarm and aggressive countermeasures. This reaction is driven by the regime’s acute fear that the legitimate demands and peaceful activism of the Rifian people could undermine Morocco’s tightly controlled narrative of national unity and territorial integrity.

1. Diplomatic pressure and intimidation campaigns:

Morocco has deployed its diplomatic corps worldwide, especially in countries where the PNR operates or seeks to establish a presence. Through embassies and consulates, Moroccan officials engage in behind-the-scenes lobbying, pressuring foreign governments, political parties, and international organizations to isolate the Rifian movement. This often involves attempts to label the PNR as a “separatist” or “terrorist” group, aiming to delegitimize its political claims and justify repression.

2. Propaganda and disinformation:

The regime orchestrates systematic propaganda campaigns targeting international media, social networks, and public opinion. These campaigns seek to distort facts, spread misinformation about the situation in the Rif, and portray the Riffian struggle as destabilizing or illegitimate. State-controlled media and allied outlets frequently disseminate narratives minimizing human rights abuses or accusing the PNR and its supporters of fomenting unrest for foreign interests.

3. Criminalization of peaceful activism:

On the ground and abroad, Moroccan authorities attempt to criminalize the activism of Rifian leaders and sympathizers. This includes harassment, arbitrary arrests, judicial persecution, and surveillance. Abroad, the regime sometimes leverages Interpol notices or bilateral police cooperation to intimidate activists and restrict their freedom of movement. These tactics aim to weaken the organizational capacity of the Rifian movement and sow fear among its members.

4. Fear of international recognition and support:

Morocco’s hostility is fueled by the prospect that the Rifian voice may gain traction in international forums such as the United Nations, the European Parliament, human rights organizations, and diplomatic circles. Any acknowledgment of the Rif’s right to self-determination or documentation of abuses challenges the regime’s narrative and could lead to calls for accountability. This threat to Morocco’s diplomatic standing intensifies its repressive posture.

5. Our response and resilience:

Despite these pressures and attempts at intimidation, the PNR and the broader Rifian movement remain steadfast. We reject all forms of repression and defamation, continuing to promote our cause peacefully and transparently. We build alliances with international human rights defenders, lawmakers, and civil society actors who recognize the legitimacy of our struggle. Our resilience and commitment send a clear message: no amount of geopolitical pressure or propaganda will silence the voice of a people demanding justice and freedom.