Farouk Al-Rifi, representative of the National Rif Party, speaks during a press conference at the party’s newly opened office in Algiers (agencies)

There is a popular wisdom circulating in the Maghreb that says: “He who wanders holds the ground,” meaning that whoever has lost his way must stick to the place he is in. It is a wisdom that refers to the world of nomads. When the wind blows and obscures the view of a caravan, guides are advised at that time to stick to it. The caravan owners remain in their place until the storm clears and the vision becomes clear.

We are in a world in which the vision has not been defined, given the massive transformations that the world is experiencing, which are unparalleled except in the post-World War II context. It is better not to rush into impromptu or emotional decisions, or reactions. It is wrong and even dangerous to think in terms of old templates for a new world, or one that is being developed.

This introduction is a prelude to an event that is not actually a conversation, and it is certainly not the smart expression to keep pace with the new transformations, which is the announcement of the establishment of the “Republic of the Rif” in Algiers, in its embassy district, with “majesty” and “rituals” befitting the event. , including “the national anthem in Tarifit (a branch of Amazigh), “the flag,” and “the declaration of directions.”

The game of supporting secession is a game with uncalculated consequences, as if it were tolerated, it would undermine the social structures, in Morocco and Algeria, and be fuel for civil wars, in every country, and for a conflict that will not subside between the Arabs and the Berbers.

A person does not need to be a specialist, whatever the specialty, nor knowledgeable, whatever the knowledge, but just common sense, that this serves, strategically, Algeria, according to what mathematicians call absurd reasoning, or logic by “assuming for the sake of argument” the establishment of a “republic.” the countryside". A “successful” state of secession fuels embryonic secessionist movements, and how likely they are to initiate, if they have media coverage, flirting with existential wounds, expert laboratories, fabricated events, the recruitment of others, and international support.. The world is filled with very peaceful movements, calling for “legitimate” cultural rights. Very,” and ends in blood and a call for secession.

The logic of things, in the midst of the major transformations taking place in the world, is to set the teeth of confrontation between Algeria and Morocco, think carefully about the major transformations, and strive for the transformation to be for the benefit of the peoples of the region and the Arab world, as happened previously, after the transformations that occurred in Eastern Europe. At the end of the last century, it cast a shadow over both countries.

Morocco then resumed its diplomatic relations with Algeria, which had been severed, and the late King Hassan II attended the Arab summit held in Algeria in June 1988, and met with Zeralda (the outskirts of Algiers) following the summit. But we are no longer in the logic of things, but rather their opposite.

“Announcing” the “Republic of the Rif” within the internationally recognized borders of Morocco does not serve the region, does not serve the Arab world, and does not serve Algeria. Likewise, calling for self-determination of the “Kabyle people” does not serve the region, does not serve the Arab world, and does not serve Morocco.

I did not hesitate to criticize what the Moroccan Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Omar Hilal, did when he said that the “proud Kabylie” people have the right to self-determination, in the midst of a debate with his Algerian counterpart - (July 14, 2021) - and I wrote and stated it in more than one international location. , about the foolishness of this statement.

It was possible to close the issue, because King Mohammed VI devoted the entire throne speech to Moroccan-Algerian relations (July 30, 2021), and said: The two peoples are more than brothers, but rather "Siamese" (meaning close together), and that evil will not come from Morocco, a refrain that is also repeated in the official Algerian discourse towards Morocco: evil will not come from Algeria. Do we rely on speeches or actions?

There is no doubt that the Kabylie region in Algeria has its own cultural specificity, but it was at the heart of the liberation battle, and its beating heart. After independence, some of its leaders adopted political options different from those adopted by Algeria after independence. But secession was never possible, nor was it carried by any actual or credible force, nor did it have any popular presence.

The same thing can be said about the Rif region in Morocco, which has its own cultural specificity, and the battle of Prince Abdel Karim Al-Khattabi was to first liberate the Rif and direct his forces to the region that was under French rule.

As a reminder, the colonial authorities divided Morocco, just as spoils are divided, between France and Spain, and an international zone in Tangier. The outbreak of resistance in the countryside, as it appeared, and the course it took resulted from the partition to which Morocco was subjected and the policy and situation of Spain.

It is also certain that the Kabylie region experienced major tremors after the killing of activist Massinsa Kermah (April 2001), which led to what was known as the Black Spring. It is also certain that the chopping block of fish seller Mohsen Fikri in Al Hoceima (October 2016) was the spark that ignited the Rif movement. He did not want to separate in either case.

The game of supporting secession is a game with uncalculated consequences, as if it were tolerated, it would undermine the social structures, in Morocco and Algeria, and would fuel civil wars, in every country, and a conflict that would not subside between the Arabs and the Berbers, and a volcano that would shed its lava in the region, and make the situation tense. In the Mediterranean basin.

In the Maghreb, we were proud of the unity of religion and sect, and no Amazigh leaders looked at the fate of their countries outside of unity, such as Emir Abdel Karim Al-Khattabi, Al-Hussein Ait Ahmed, or Mohamed Bensaid. But we are with actors with the same references, not trends, and are we in the same context?

The conversation here should not only be addressed to opinion makers in the two countries, but also to decision makers in particular, in order to stop reacting and outbidding. There is estrangement between the two countries that must be dealt with realistically, as a doctor does when he seeks to stabilize the disease, but disregarding the ABCs of international dealing, such as supporting secession, interfering in internal affairs, and breaking international obligations, is a dangerous game, with uncalculated consequences.

The actions of rational people are free from absurdity, but unfortunately, individual intelligence is employed for what is not intelligence at the collective level. This is one of our grave tragedies.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al Jazeera.