Republic of the Rif

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Flag of the Republic of the Rif

The Republic of the Rif (full name The Confederal Republic of the Tribes of the Rif, or Dawlat al-Jumhuriyya ar-Rifiyya) (Arabic: جمهورية الريف‎) was created in September 1921, when the people of the Rif (the Riffians) revolted and declared their independence from Spanish Morocco.

Its capital city was Ajdir, its currency the Rif Republic Riffan, its national holiday Independence Day was held on 18 September, and its total population an estimated 18,350 people. The independence of Rif was proclaimed on 18 September 1921, with Abd el-Krim as its Amir ar-Rif. The Republic of the Rif was formally constituted 1 February 1923, with Abd el-Krim as head of state ("Ra'is ad-Dawla"). Its prime minister, from July 1923 to 27 May 1926, was ben Hajj Hatmi. It was dissolved by Spanish and French forces on 27 May 1926

[edit] History

A One Riffan note. Produced by Captain Charles Gardiner, an English arms smuggler.

Five Riffans note. Gardiner's notes make prominent use of the English language and currency - neither of which would have meant anything in to the population of the Rif. The English spelling of "Riff" is very prominently incorrect.

The Berbers fiercely resisted both Spanish and French incursions into the desert. However, the Berbers had been unable to consolidate power, and had continually returned to ethnic fighting and tribal division. The Great Revolt of 1912 against French rule was a complete failure due to the fact that any tribal alliances created during the Great Revolt came apart within months.

A single tribal warlord and leader, Muhammad Abd el-Krim, was a strong leader of the Berbers in the Rif. Al-Karim used his victory against the Spanish to try and create an independent state with a formal administration and military power structure. Having created this command and power structure, al-Karim drove the Spanish back to a few coastal outposts, then began to attack the French, to his south.

In late 1925, the French and Spanish created a joint task force of over five hundred thousand men, then attacked the new Confederal Republic, which collapsed in May of 1926.

The French intellectual groups denounced the imperialism of the French ruling classes. They associated the army and the notion of 'patrie' with the bourgeoise ruling groups.

Guerrilla elements of the army continued fighting until 1927.