‘Le Printemps Démocratique’: Amazigh Activism in the February 20 Movement in Southern Morocco

ABSTRACT

This article explores the participation of Amazigh activist groups in the so-called ‘Moroccan Arab Spring’, known as the February 20 Movement (F20M). It analyzes the activism of diverse Amazigh militants in both urban and rural areas and their relationship with other F20M militant groups. The article interrogates the Amazigh’s dilemma of multi-scalar engagement and explores activism within and beyond the F20M that led to the formal recognition of Amazigh rights and culture in Morocco, particularly Tamazight as an official language.

KEYWORDS:

• Morocco
• Amazigh activism
• F20M
• ‘Democratic spring’
• Tamazight language
• Constitution 2011

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. Interviews with members of Democratic Way Marrakech, 18 February 2014 and with a Member of USFP Marrakech, 19 February 2014.

2. Interview with a member of ‘Amazigh Network for Citizenship’ (AZETTA), Marrakech, 17 February 2014.

3. Besides the localized protests, significant political activism continued after the 20FM by groups such as the ‘Tawada’ association. See Maddy-Weitzman (2015).

4. Interview with a member of Amazigh Network for Citizenship (AZETTA). Marrakech, 17 February 2014. Interview with an Independent Amazigh Activist. Marrakech, 17 February 2014. Interview with a Member of Association Yagour Tighedouine, 1 March 2014. Interview with a member of the Association Tamaynut, Tighedouine, 1 March 2014.

5. The Front Polisario is a Saharawi rebel national-liberation movement that opposes the Moroccan sovereignty on Western Sahara.

6. Interview an Independent Amazigh Activist. Marrakech, 22 February 2014.

7. Interview with an Independent Amazigh Activist. Marrakech, 17 February 2014.

8. See Willis (2002, p. 7) for an in-depth discussion of ‘makhzen’.

9. Interview with a member of AMDH, Marrakech, 9 December 2013.

10. According to a member of the AZETTA, the internal regulation of the association permits its members freedom of expression. Interview in Marrakech 17 February 2014.

11. Group interview with various members of UNEM, Marrakech, 14 February 2014, Interview with a Member of ATTAC. Marrakech, 24 February 2014, Interview with a member of USFP Youth section. Marrakech, 24 February 2014. Interview with a former member of AMDH branch in Ait Ourir. Ait Ourir, 25 February 2014, Interview with the Secretary General of PADS. By phone, 25 February 2014, Interview with a member of AMDH. Marrakech, 11 December 2013, Interview with a member of AMDH Marrakech, 12 December 2013, 13 and 14 February 2014.

12. Interview with a member of AMDH branch in Ait Ourir. Ait Ourir, 1 March 2014; Interview with various members of the Association Yagour and Association Tamaynut, Tighedouine, 1 March 2014.

13. Interview with a member of both the Association Yagour and Association Tamaynut, Tighedouine, 1 March 2014.

14. Interview with a member of AMDH branch in Ait Ourir. Ait Ourir, 1 March 2014.

15. Interview with a member of the local branch of the Association Tamaynut, Tighedouine, 1 March 2014.