Opinion: The Rif's Hirak and the Trap of the Separatism Narrative

The public discourse surrounding the Rif seems doomed to repeat itself in an endless loop. Whenever the region is in the spotlight, the accusation of "separatism" against its social movements, like the Hirak, resurfaces, followed by a predictable wave of defensive responses. This dynamic, far from fostering progress, drains energy and diverts focus from fundamental demands. A recent analysis argues that the "separatist" label has become a highly effective political tool to invalidate any social, economic, or cultural demand originating from the Rif. By raising this specter, it becomes possible to avoid addressing the structural problems that sparked the protests, such as the lack of infrastructure, unemployment, and the need for cultural recognition. The author of the analysis points to a double-edged problem. It's not just about those who promote this simplistic narrative, but also about how a segment of the Rif's own activism falls into the trap. The constant need to defend against this accusation consumes valuable intellectual and political capital that could and should be dedicated to building projects, ideas, and a vision for the region's future. The conclusion is a call for self-criticism and a strategic shift. The movement is urged to move beyond its reactive phase, to stop responding to every provocation, and to start setting its own agenda. The real challenge, according to the author, is to build a collective critical thinking and achieve a political maturity that allows a transition from defense to proposition, thereby setting the terms of the debate instead of being defined by them.