Behind Mohammed VI’s push for a more Amazigh Morocco

Amazigh identity, culture and language have been promoted by the state in recent years, a reversal of past policies. “As soon as France left Morocco in 1956, the kingdom proclaimed its new identity as Arabo-Islamic,” said Belkacem Lounes, secretary-general and former president of the World Amazigh Congress. We were simply not a priority at that time.” But Lounes does not see it that way, pointing to how, in 1984, Hassan II described the Amazigh people of the Rif region as “awbash” and accusing him of refusing to recognise Morocco’s Amazigh identity or its ancient pre-Arab history. Younger Amazigh carry on the work Massinissa of the Rif, an Amazigh activist and socialite who is also the great-great-grandson of Amazigh anticolonial figure Amghar Mohammed Ameziane, said Mohammed VI “know that monarchy and state have to progress and modernise in order to survive and stay relevant”. “I feel like my parent’s biggest mission in life was that I and the rest of my family did not forget our identity, and it makes me happy to be part of this beautiful ethnic group that survived through history and is still fighting for its dignity.” After the kingdom’s pro-Amazigh steps, Massinissa said: “I feel we are finally being given the respect we deserve … because he legitimises our identity before the entire world … even in his way of dressing.