Casablanca – In the early 1970s, Morocco was rocked by a series of attempted coups and armed uprisings, plunging the kingdom into a period of severe political instability. Following the failed Skhirat coup of 1971, the Moroccan government, led by King Hassan II, faced an unprecedented challenge from the Union Nationale des Forces Populaires (UNFP) and its iconic leader, Mohamed Fqih Basri. With international backing from Syria and Algeria, the leftist movement aimed to bring radical change to the Moroccan regime, steering the country to the brink of civil war.
An Unlikely International Alliance
Against the backdrop of the Cold War and post-colonial movements, the UNFP gained support from regional powers, most notably Algeria under Houari Boumédiène, who had a brief diplomatic détente with Morocco, and Ba’athist Syria, which became a hub for Moroccan revolutionaries. While Morocco and Algeria sought mutual understanding, Algeria’s support of Moroccan militants only heightened tensions. These political and military alliances bolstered the UNFP’s guerilla strategy.
With Algeria’s backing, the UNFP set up military bases, providing rigorous military training to its militants. “Algeria’s support was critical in sustaining our armed movement,” Brahim Ouchelh writes in his recently published memoirs. Syria also served as a refuge for UNFP leaders, strengthening their revolutionary network with ideological and logistical assistance.
Failed Coups and the Exile of UNFP Leaders
The years 1971 and 1972 saw dramatic turning points. Following the failed Skhirat coup in July 1971, which aimed to overthrow the monarchy, another faction of the army mobilized in August 1972 for the so-called “Aviators’ Coup.” Both attempts failed, leading to increased repression by the Moroccan government against UNFP militants and their military allies. Many involved in these attempts, including General Oufkir, were either executed or imprisoned under harsh conditions.
This wave of repression strengthened King Hassan II’s authority but left deep scars within the UNFP. Key figures, such as Abderrahim Bouabid and Omar Benjelloun, either went into exile or were imprisoned. As hope for revolution dwindled, the UNFP, now split between a moderate faction and a more radical wing, found itself increasingly politically isolated.
Tazmamart: A Symbol of Morocco’s Years of Lead
To neutralize the opposition, the Moroccan regime implemented harsh repressive measures. Dissidents and captured military rebels were detained in secretive, inhumane conditions, particularly in the infamous Tazmamart prison, notorious for its lifetime sentences and extreme incarceration conditions. This prison became a symbol of oppression during Morocco’s Years of Lead, a period marked by mass arrests, political trials, and the stifling of civil liberties.
Survivors of Tazmamart describe dark, windowless cells, where prisoners were denied even basic medical care. Detainees, mostly UNFP militants and military personnel accused of conspiring against the regime, lived in deplorable conditions, hidden from the public eye and civil concern.
The End of a Revolutionary Era and the Restoration of Order
In 1973, following a final armed uprising attempt in Moulay Bouazza, the UNFP gradually abandoned its armed struggle. Fqih Basri and other leaders chose exile, where they continued their political activism abroad. The monarchy maintained a tight grip on the country, consolidating its power through a series of reforms designed to weaken organized opposition. It wasn’t until the early 1990s that exiled militants were allowed to return to Morocco, with an amnesty enabling them to rejoin political life.
This retreat from arms marked the end of a revolutionary period for the UNFP, while Hassan II’s regime, though weakened, successfully solidified its legitimacy and stabilized the country. The following decades saw progressive reforms, including incremental improvements in civil and political rights.
Conclusion: The Lessons of a Turbulent Era
The story of Morocco’s Years of Lead and the UNFP’s struggle against the monarchy underscores the challenges of political power struggles in post-independence Morocco. The repression of this era left lasting scars on the families of victims and Moroccan society, which remains marked by the memory of these dark years. As Morocco continues its path of reform, the legacy of this revolutionary period serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made for national stability and progress.
© Odon Bulamba / ADR
