Ahmed Balafrej
Ahmed Balafrej was a key Moroccan nationalist leader and diplomat who served as Morocco's Foreign Minister and briefly as Prime Minister. He was instrumental in negotiating Morocco's independence from colonial rule and played a significant role in shaping its early foreign policy and diplomatic relations.

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AHMED BALAFREJ
Ahmed Balafrej, born in 1908 in Rabat, emerged as a key figure in Morocco's nationalist movement and its journey towards independence. He was raised in a family that supported his education, enabling him to pursue primary studies at the school of Bab Laâlou and secondary studies at the Muslim College of Rabat. When colonial policies hindered his progress locally, he moved to Paris, where he completed his baccalaureate at Lycée Henri-IV. His academic journey continued at Cairo's Fouad I University, followed by studies at the Sorbonne in Paris, where he earned a degree in letters and a diploma in political science.
Balafrej's early political involvement began with his founding of The Society of Friends of the Truth in 1926, Morocco’s first nationalist organization. During his time in Paris, he co-established the Association of North African Muslim Students alongside other like-minded individuals, fostering a network of intellectuals committed to the anti-colonial cause. By 1930, he had become a vocal critic of the Berber Dahir, viewing it as a tool for colonial de-Islamization, and sought to rally international support for the Moroccan nationalist agenda. His collaboration with prominent figures like Druze leader Chekib Arslan helped elevate the Moroccan struggle on the global stage.
Throughout the early 1930s, Balafrej took a stand against colonial rule through various means, including the establishment of the Maghreb journal in 1932. The publication, which he co-founded with Mohamed Hassan Ouazzani and others, became a critical voice for Moroccan nationalism, despite facing suppression by colonial authorities. During this period, he also played a crucial role in the Moroccan Action Committee (CAM), leading its Rabat cell and participating in the drafting of the "Plan de Réforme." The plan sought social and political reforms but faced resistance from the colonial regime.
By 1940, during World War II, Balafrej moved to Tangier, where he navigated the complex geopolitical shifts caused by the German invasion of France. Despite overtures from Nazi Germany, he maintained a cautious distance, advocating for Moroccan independence without compromising his principles. He later returned to Morocco, engaging in underground activities and aligning himself with the changing political landscape, especially following the Anfa Conference in 1943 where the Sultan met with President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
In 1944, Balafrej authored the Manifesto of Independence, a bold declaration that called for Morocco's sovereignty and laid the foundation for the Istiqlal Party, where he served as the first secretary. His activism led to his arrest and exile by French authorities, but he continued to advocate for Moroccan independence even from abroad. After being amnestied in 1946, he founded Al Alam, the first national Arabic-language newspaper, further solidifying his influence in the nationalist movement.
Balafrej's diplomatic efforts in the late 1940s and early 1950s sought to internationalize the Moroccan independence cause, gaining the support of non-aligned countries and leveraging international pressure on France. His efforts bore fruit when, in 1955, the French government, under mounting pressure, began negotiating with Moroccan nationalists, leading to Morocco’s independence in 1956. As a key negotiator, Balafrej emphasized the importance of the Sultan's return from exile and the formation of a transitional government under the Sultan's authority.
With Morocco's independence, Balafrej became the country’s first Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1956. He played a significant role in shaping Morocco's early foreign policy and later served as the president of the Council in 1958. In 1962, he briefly held the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs under King Hassan II and served as the King’s personal representative from 1963 to 1972. Although this role marked a departure from his earlier political ambitions, it underscored his enduring stature as a statesman.
Ahmed Balafrej's later years were marked by a retreat from active political life, and he passed away in May 1990 in Rabat after a prolonged illness. Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Balafrej
GOVERNING TIME LINE
Ahmed Balafrej served as Prime Minister of Morocco from March 1958 to January 1960. He assumed office after the dismissal of Mbarek Bekkay during a time of political unrest following independence. Balafrej resigned due to growing dissatisfaction and internal conflicts within the government.