10.06.2025 | 19:00
Časopis za kritiko znanosti, domišljijo in novo antropologijo (ČKZ) v nedavni številki z naslovom Ponovno po balkanski migracijski poti prinaša (domnevno prve) slovenske prevode del vidnega maroškega aktivista in politika Mehdija Ben Barke (1920–1965) – poročila s konferenc v Bejrutu in Tunisu iz leta 1960, kjer obravnava afriška osvobodilna gibanja in nujnost odprave kolonialnega sistema.
Pogovor s politologom Abdelkbirjem Sahirjem bo obravnaval delo Ben Barke, ki ostaja ena najbolj skrivnostnih osebnosti moderne maroške zgodovine in eden najvidnejših primerov političnega izginotja. V nedavni številki ČKZ je objavljen tudi obsežen intervju s Sahirjem.
Vabljeni!
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Ben Barka je eden izmed ustanovnih članov stranke Istiqlal, kasneje pa Nacionalne unije ljudskih sil (UNFP). Od zgodnjih 60. let je živel v izgnanstvu (v Franciji in drugod). Bil je predsednik pripravljalnega odbora Trikontinentalne konference (Azija–Afrika–Latinska Amerika).
Izginil je 29. oktobra 1965 v Parizu, v Franciji. Zvabili so ga na srečanje in ga nato ugrabili v bližini kavarne Lipp na bulvarju Saint-Germain. Njegovo truplo nikoli ni bilo najdeno.
Domnevno so v izginotje neposredno vpletene maroške obveščevalne službe (CAB1), ki naj bi ugrabitev načrtovale in izvedle. Pomagala naj bi jim francoska obveščevalna služba SDECE. Francoske oblasti so kasneje sprožile preiskavo proti nekaterim francoskim častnikom, ki pa je bila večinoma prikrita. Nekateri viri omenjajo tudi vpletenost Mossada, domnevno pri sledenju in nadzoru.
Domnevno so v izginotje neposredno vpletene maroške obveščevalne službe (CAB1), ki naj bi ugrabitev načrtovale in izvedle. Pomagala naj bi jim francoska obveščevalna služba SDECE. Francoske oblasti so kasneje sprožile preiskavo proti nekaterim francoskim častnikom, ki pa je bila večinoma prikrita. Nekateri viri omenjajo tudi vpletenost Mossada, domnevno pri sledenju in nadzoru.
Motivi za atentat so različni. Bil je nasprotnik maroškega režima. Imel je tesne stike z osvobodilnimi gibanji Tretjega sveta. Načrtoval je odmevno konferenco protikolonialnih voditeljev, kar je vznemirilo zahodne sile in nekatere arabske režime.
Po izginotju je Kralj Hasan II. zanikal kakršnokoli vpletenost. Nihče ni nikoli bil priveden pred sodišče. Njegov primer ostaja zavit v tančico skrivnosti zaradi uradnega prikrivanja dokumentov tako v Franciji kot v Maroku.
Po izginotju je Kralj Hasan II. zanikal kakršnokoli vpletenost. Nihče ni nikoli bil priveden pred sodišče. Njegov primer ostaja zavit v tančico skrivnosti zaradi uradnega prikrivanja dokumentov tako v Franciji kot v Maroku.
Vendar je Francija leta 2001 začela delno razkrivati dosjeje. Ob 50. obletnici izginotja leta 2015 je zadeva ponovno vzbudila zanimanje pod pritiskom njegove družine. Leta 2021 je francoski novinar razkril, da je videl dokumente, ki naj bi potrjevali neposredno vpletenost maroških in francoskih uradnikov.
Kljub temu številna vprašanja ostajajo neodgovorjena: Kje je pokopan Ben Barka? Kdo je izdal končni ukaz za njegovo likvidacijo? V kolikšni meri je bila francoska država uradno vpletena? Zakaj je bil ta primer desetletja prikrivan?
Kljub temu številna vprašanja ostajajo neodgovorjena: Kje je pokopan Ben Barka? Kdo je izdal končni ukaz za njegovo likvidacijo? V kolikšni meri je bila francoska država uradno vpletena? Zakaj je bil ta primer desetletja prikrivan?
FOTO: Mehdi Ben Barka (drugi z desne) na zasebni zabavi po osamosvojitvi Maroka. (Vir: Wikimedia Commons)
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The Disappearance of Mehdi Ben Barka
Talk with Abdelkbir Sahir on the life and work of the Moroccan revolutionary
Talk with Abdelkbir Sahir on the life and work of the Moroccan revolutionary
In its recent issue titled Balkan Migration Route Revisited, ČKZ presents (presumably the first) Slovenian translations of works by the prominent Moroccan activist and politician Mehdi Ben Barka (1920–1965) — reports from conferences in Beirut and Tunis in 1960, where he addresses African liberation movements and the necessity of abolishing the colonial system.
The discussion with political scientist Abdelkbir Sahir will focus on the work of Ben Barka, who remains one of the most mysterious figures in modern Moroccan history and one of the most prominent cases of political disappearance. An extensive interview with Sahir is published in the recent issue of ČKZ.
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Ben Barka was one of the founding members of the Istiqlal Party, and later the National Union of Popular Forces (UNFP). He lived in exile (in France and other countries) since the early 1960s. An internationally respected figure, he chaired the preparatory committee for the Tricontinental Conference (Asia-Africa-Latin America).
He disappeared in October 29, 1965 in Paris, France. He was lured into a meeting, then abducted near the Lipp Café on Saint-Germain Boulevard. His body has never been found.
Presumably, the involved parties are the Moroccan Intelligence (CAB1) who is believed to have played a direct role in the planning and execution of his disappearance. The French Intelligence (SDECE) implicitly assisted or turned a blind eye, with some involvement. French Authorities later issued charges against French officers, but the investigation was largely covered up. Some documents suggest Mossad’s involvement, possibly in tracking or surveillance.
Presumably, the involved parties are the Moroccan Intelligence (CAB1) who is believed to have played a direct role in the planning and execution of his disappearance. The French Intelligence (SDECE) implicitly assisted or turned a blind eye, with some involvement. French Authorities later issued charges against French officers, but the investigation was largely covered up. Some documents suggest Mossad’s involvement, possibly in tracking or surveillance.
The motives behind the assassination are varied. He was an opponent of the Moroccan regime, posing an ideological and political threat. He had strong ties to liberation movements in the Third World, and was planning a major conference uniting anti-colonial leaders, which alarmed Western powers and some Arab regimes.
After the crime, King Hassan II denied any involvement, but suspicions persisted. Many French and Moroccan officials were implicated, but none were ever brought to trial. The case remained shrouded in secrecy due to official suppression of documents in both France and Morocco.
In 2001, France began partially declassifying some case files. In 2015, the case resurfaced on the 50th anniversary of his disappearance, amid pressure from his family. In 2021, a French journalist claimed to have seen documents indicating direct involvement of Moroccan and French officials.
However, many unanswered questions remain. Where is Mehdi Ben Barka’s body buried? Who gave the final order to assassinate him? To what extent was the French state officially involved? Why was the case covered up for decades?
PHOTO: Mehdi Ben Barka (second from the right) at a private party after the Moroccan independence. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)