The qualities of the military leader Moha Ou Hammou Zayani, a leading figure of the national resistance against the occupier, were at the centre of a conference organised on Sunday in Khénifra.

During this meeting, initiated by the Amahzoune Moha Ou Hammou Zayani Association in coordination with the local council of Ulema, the various speakers highlighted certain aspects of the life of this great nationalist and formidable warrior.

Thus, academics who led this conference highlighted his bravery, his ability to organise groups of fighters and master conflicts between the different tribes of the region, the relevance of his military tactics, as well as the know-how and economic management skills of the populations' affairs that this icon of national resistance possessed.

After stressing the need to deploy more efforts to highlight the history of local, and even national, resistance, the participants also addressed the religious dimension of Moha Ou Hammou Zayani's resistance, his achievements in the city of Khénifra, as well as his sacrifices made in the service of religion and the homeland.

Presentations were also given on "The presence of women in the Zayanes' resistance against the occupier", "The Battle of El Hri between colonial writing and oral narrative", and "The importance of the glorious Battle of El Hri in the historical context of national resistance".

Through this meeting, the organisers aim to contribute to the preservation of national memory and, consequently, to the animation of the local cultural scene.

Born in 1857 in Ait Harkat (a tribe of Khénifra), this great, fierce, and intrepid militant was able to hinder the colonial grip on the High and Middle Atlas despite the small number of fighters and the modest means of armament they had, unlike the French army which mobilised great resources.

His name remains mainly linked to the Battle of El Hri (November 1914), which resulted in the victory of the Zayanes.

Indeed, this historical epic, which will remain engraved in the national memory, symbolises the great prestige that this martyr forged for himself, having always refused any compromise with the occupying forces despite their tempting proposals. This battle took place near the village of the same name, in the Oued Chbouka valley. Moha Ou Hammou, who suffered the enemy attack in his own camp, had the judicious tactical idea of abandoning the site and retreating into the mountains. Reinforced by fighters from neighbouring tribes, he regained his composure and led the counter-attack. The violence of the assault surprised the colonial forces, which suffered heavy losses in both weaponry and human lives.

The French did not truly establish their authority over the tribes of the region until after his death on the battlefield on 27 March 1921.

His mausoleum is located in the heart of the mountains in Tamellakt (about 50 km from Khénifra).