Few people know him, and yet he definitively influenced the process of decolonization in Morocco and, more generally, in North Africa. Haddou ben Hammou Lakhal is one of those men who fascinated the European colonists to the point of frightening them about the “consequences” of progress among Africans. Let us return to the 19th century to understand the story of this great Rifian diplomat.
The race to colonize Morocco.
His story begins in 1888. Despite the modernization of the army set in motion by Moulay Hassan and Moulay Abdelaziz, the Sharifian Empire could not compete with the appetite of the European powers while stabilizing the country. Morocco is threatened by two problems, which punctuated Alaouite policy throughout the century: the tribal revolts, backed by the zaouias, against the payment of taxes. These regions are called Blad-Al-Siba (land of anarchy) and the various Sultans organize several Harka (military campaigns) to pacify these places.
The second problem, the most decisive in the colonization process, is the country’s indebtedness. This indebtedness is caused as much by the cost of the Harka as by European loans for industrial investment (the Dar Al Makina factory) as well as for the modernization of the army (for example: the acquisition of steamships and Krupp cannons).
The childhood of Haddou Lakhal.
It is in this context that Haddou Benhammou Lakhal is born in the province of Izmouren, near Al Hoceima. Very early on, his family settled in French Algeria. His parents found him a job with the man in charge of the port of Marsa Ben M’hmidi (formerly Port-Say), Mr. Bourmance Say. He will very quickly go from servant to friend and confidant of the latter, who had come to realize the young man’s intelligence:
“His master, noticing the intelligence of this little Moroccan, took an interest in him and raised him, not as a subservient servant, but as a confidant.”
— Le Gaulois newspaper, April 1926
Shortly afterwards, Haddou Lakhal decided to launch his first business ventures, notably through a Moorish cafe he christened “Au rendez-vous des pirates” and which, in little time, became the gathering place of the emissaries of Abdelkrim Al-Khattabi. With the start of the European wars, he cooperated with the French intelligence services against Spain and will receive airplane pilot training at the air base of Oran.
Imprisonment on the Jaffarine Islands.
Captured by the Spanish, he was imprisoned in a fortress on the Jaffarine Islands. He used his intellect to devise an almost Machiavellian plan to flee the prison, and in a single night swam the twenty kilometers that separated him from the coast. He will manage, after several days, to reach French Algeria while dodging the Spanish patrol boats (either by swimming, or by floating on his back for hours).
The European war came, we needed intelligence agents, he was enlisted by the French services and was not long in distinguishing himself by his courage and his tireless activity. — Arthur Meyer, 1926
From French intelligence to Rifian intelligence.
His life took a turn during the Rif War; he joined the revolt from the very beginning by rallying his tribe (Bocoya). Within the republic of the Rif, he quickly climbed the ranks:
- Caid of the Bocoyas
- Political attache at the Rifian ministry of foreign affairs
- Head of Rifian intelligence
- Minister of aviation in 1923
His near-perfect knowledge of the French, Spanish and Rifian languages, as well as of darija, allowed him to very quickly gain importance within the Rifian establishment.
He arrives in Ajdir on horseback after three days of riding, changes attire in Oujda and sets off again either for Fez or Rabat, or for Oran, wherever missions call him. — Arthur Meyer, 1926.
A tireless diplomat.
He strung together journeys day and night, stopping only to sleep, to refuel his Ford or to switch to his horse. After covering one hundred and twenty kilometers on horseback, he would arrive in Taourirt, climb into his Ford and set off again without taking any rest. In one week, he took five hours of sleep, traveling by night, doing business by day, having gone from Oran to Rabat, seen officials, concluded deals. All the European diplomats were impressed by his power of action, described as ”extraordinary”.
A shrewd diplomat, he was regarded as a gentleman by the Europeans. Haddou will carry out several initiatives for the Rif: various purchases, negotiations for the settlement of Rifian debts, approaches to the French military commanders, peace talks with Spain between 1923 and 1924…
I like the Riffians as they are, but I do not want them to grow. — Hubert Lyautey to Haddou Lakhal, 1924.
He succeeded in negotiating the purchase of German airplanes, rallied Moroccan crowds from Fes to Oran, all while earning the sympathy of many colonists through his courtesy. He will be regarded by the French as one of Abdelkrim’s most precious auxiliaries. The Spanish delegates said they found themselves facing a very shrewd diplomat, who knew the Moroccan question better than any European politician. However, the failure of the Republic of the Rif marked a turning point in his life…
A decisive legacy in Morocco’s independence.
Captured by the French, he was exiled to the island of Essaouira in 1926, where he spent the rest of his days until 1950, the year of his death. His prestige and his intellect made France aware of the danger of progress in Morocco…
Through Haddou Lakhal, the French understood that they could not occupy Morocco indefinitely and peacefully if the people educated themselves. Their fears will nevertheless end up coming true. On January 11, 1944, a group of Moroccan intellectuals will unite a large part of the population behind the Manifesto of Independence. Then will begin the process of decolonization, which will come to an end in 1956 with the official independence of the Kingdom of Morocco, 6 years after his death.
