Episode 22: From Alliance to Rupture – The Conflict Between Sharif Ahmed Al-Raisuni and Colonel Silvestre (1911–1913)

Episode 22: From Alliance to Rupture – The Conflict Between Sharif Ahmed Al-Raisuni and Colonel Silvestre (1911–1913)

​Introduction

The relationship between Sharif Ahmed Al-Raisuni and the Spanish military commander, Colonel Manuel Fernández Silvestre, evolved from a framework of fragile cooperation into open hostility. This deterioration was driven by competing visions of sovereignty and the colonial ambition to undermine the Sharif’s administrative control over the Jbala region.

​The Crisis of Authority and the "Prisoners of the Two Villages"

The tension escalated significantly regarding the status of the "prisoners of the two villages" (Banī 'Arūs).

• ​Colonel Silvestre sought to undermine the Sharif by fostering alliances with local rivals and officials to bypass Al-Raisuni’s directives.

• ​In January 1913, Silvestre informed the Spanish Minister of Defense that he had confiscated assets from Al-Raisuni’s administration, including 13,500 pesetas and various personal belongings, under the pretext that the Sharif's associates were acting against Spanish interests.

• ​Silvestre justified these actions as a necessity to replace the Sharif’s administration with a structure that would better serve Spanish interests.

​The Failed Agreement of February 1913

Despite the escalating hostility, an agreement was reached on February 2, 1913, to facilitate the Sharif’s return to his post in Asilah. The terms stipulated:

• ​The appointment of Al-Raisuni's brother, Muhammad, as his deputy in Asilah.

• ​The immediate release of all associates detained by Colonel Silvestre and the end of the enforced residence of the Sharif's family.

• ​However, Colonel Silvestre rejected the agreement, threatening to resign, and viewed it as a detrimental concession that would undermine his military strategy.

​Mediation and the "Storm" Meeting

The Spanish government attempted to mediate the impasse through various high-level meetings, but Silvestre remained adamant.

• ​During a pivotal confrontation, the Sharif asserted his resilience against the colonial pressure, famously telling his rival: "You are the storm, and I am the sea; I shall survive the battle".

• ​The Spanish administration continued to employ "policies of discord," inciting local tribes against the Sharif through deceit and the creation of counterfeit seals.

​The Final Rupture

The diplomatic process concluded with a final act of betrayal.

• ​While the Spanish eventually released the Sharif’s family, they delivered them alongside empty crates that had once contained his personal belongings, an act the Sharif interpreted as a final insult.

• ​In his final response to the Spanish authorities, Al-Raisuni declared: "I have severed all my relations with you... My answer to you, O people of Spain, is that there remains nothing between us except the muzzles of guns". 

​Conclusion

The standoff between Al-Raisuni and Silvestre represented a fundamental clash between traditional Moroccan authority and aggressive colonial encroachment. This period marked the definitive end of administrative negotiation and signaled the onset of the armed resistance that would define the region's history in the subsequent years.

The Character of Silvestre: Tyranny, Stubbornness, and Ego

​The historical record, particularly the accounts from the detainees, paints a clear picture of Colonel Silvestre’s personality and his method of governance in the Jbala region. His behavior was characterized by a profound sense of arrogance and a blatant disregard for established agreements.

​The Testimony of the Detainees and the Sharif

• ​The detainees from the villages of Banī 'Arūs suffered under Silvestre’s regime, which was defined by his arbitrary use of power and his personal vendetta against Sharif Al-Raisuni.

• ​Silvestre viewed himself as the ultimate authority, often disregarding directives from his own government in Madrid if they interfered with his personal strategy to neutralize the Sharif.

• ​His arrogance was further evidenced by his decision to confiscate the Sharif’s personal property and administration assets, an act he justified by claiming to be the "protector" of the tribes, despite his actions causing direct harm to the local population.

• ​Silvestre's ego led him to reject formal agreements that he had not personally negotiated or controlled, famously stating that he would rather resign than implement policies he considered a "mistake from beginning to end".

• ​Even when faced with high-level mediation, his stubbornness prevented any meaningful resolution; he persistently dismissed the Sharif’s influence as "weak," while simultaneously fearing that the Sharif would gain the upper hand if his family were released.

​A Legacy of Contradiction

• ​The Sharif Al-Raisuni recognized Silvestre's tyranny, describing the situation as a manifestation of the Colonel's obsession with destroying his reputation.

• ​Silvestre’s own reports reveal his blatant selfishness and lack of diplomatic tact, as he repeatedly ignored the directives of the Spanish High Commissioner to maintain the peace, choosing instead to pursue his own aggressive agenda regardless of the geopolitical consequences.

• Conclusion: The Prisoners as Victims of Colonial Arrogance

  The fate of the prisoners under Silvestre reflected the wider colonial mentality that sought to impose authority through fear and coercion. Detention, intimidation, and the disregard for local norms transformed the prisons into symbols of domination rather than justice. Far from pacifying the region, these measures intensified hostility and strengthened the conviction among many Jbala tribes that resistance was the only remaining path. In this sense, the suffering of the prisoners became a powerful testimony to a period in which force prevailed over dialogue, ultimately paving the way for a broader struggle against colonial encroachment.

• Topics Covered in This Episode

• 1913 Conflict,Asilah,Colonel Silvestre,Colonial History,Jbala Tribes,Moroccan Archives,Moroccan Resistance,Northern Morocco History,Sharif Ahmed Al-Raisuni,Spanish Protectorate

• To delve deeper into this critical chapter of our history, click the link below for more information. And to ensure you don’t miss the full story, make sure to catch up on our previous installment: Episode 21

• https://northern-morocco-archive.blogspot.com/2026/06/episode-21-from-alliance-to-rupture.html

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