How did the end of the Spanish protectorate in Morocco in 1956 differ from the end of the Rif War?

The end of the Spanish protectorate in Morocco in 1956 differed significantly from the conclusion of the Rif War in 1926 in terms of the nature of the transition and the level of conflict involved.

• The Rif War (1921–1926): This conflict was a violent, protracted military struggle characterized by guerrilla warfare and major battles, such as the Battle of Annual. It ended only after a massive, coordinated military offensive by combined French and Spanish forces defeated the Republic of the Rif, leading to the surrender and exile of the resistance leader Abd el-Krim.123
• The End of the Protectorate (1956): In contrast, the termination of the Spanish protectorate was a diplomatic process. Following France's decision to grant independence to its zone, Spain reached a corresponding agreement with the Moroccan sultan on April 7, 1956. This transition was marked by a state visit and was achieved without the widespread violence and instability that characterized the end of French control in the region.2

While the end of the protectorate was relatively peaceful, it did lead to economic and administrative adjustments that later sparked localized disorders in the Rif region between 1958 and 1959.2