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How did Abd el-Krim govern the Republic of the Rif?
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Rif War
Spanish artillery firing outside Melilla during the Rif War.
Abd el-Krim governed the Republic of the Rif (1923ā1926) by replacing the region's traditional hierarchical society with a centralized administrative and military structure.1
To maintain his authority and manage the state, he implemented the following measures:
- Centralized Administration: He established a "cabinet" composed primarily of his close allies and relatives, serving as the Republic's president, though his followers often referred to him by the traditional title of mujÄhid (war leader).1
- Legal and Social Reform: He introduced a Muslim legal code across the territory.1
- Infrastructure and Economy: He oversaw the development of a nascent network of roads and telecommunications and established international trade arrangements.1
- Military Organization: He transformed his followers into a centralized fighting force, which successfully resisted both Spanish and French colonial powers for several years.1
Abd el-Krim utilized both his persuasive skills and force to secure the support of various Rifian groups for his campaign, ultimately controlling nearly three-quarters of the Spanish protectorate at the height of his power in 1925.1