Abdelhafid of Morocco (or Mulay Abdelhafid) (Fes, 1873–Val-d'Oise, April 1937)[1] (Arabic: عبد الحفيظ) was the Sultan of Morocco from 1908 to 1912 and a member of the Alaouite Dynasty. His younger brother, Abdelaziz of Morocco, preceded him. While Mulay Abdelhafid initially opposed his brother for giving some concessions to foreign powers, he himself became increasingly backed by the French and finally signed the protectorate treaty giving de facto control of the country to France.
He sought to overthrow his brother (Mulay Abdelaziz) and was aided by Madani al-Glaoui, older brother of T'hami one of the Caids of the Atlas. He was assisted in the training of his troops by Andrew Belton (Kaid), a British officer and veteran of the Second Boer War.[2] For a brief period Abdelaziz reigned from Rabat while Abdelhafid reigned in Marrakech and Fes was disputed. In 1908 Abdelaziz was defeated in battle.
Abdelhafid's management of the country's affairs was poor. His only success would be the arrest of the pretender Bou Hmara in 1909.
Abdelhafid abdicated in favor of his brother Yusef[3] after signing the Treaty of Fez on March 30, 1912, which made Morocco a French protectorate.[4] He signed his abdication only when on the quay in Rabat, with the ship that would bring him to France already waiting. After an extended visit to France, where he received a great deal of attention from the press,[3] he returned to Morocco and was exiled to the Dar el Makzhen (Sultanate Palace) in Tangier.
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| Preceded by Abdelaziz |
Sultan of Morocco 1908–1912 |
Succeeded by Yusef |