HIBAPRESS
The announcement by activist Celia Ziani of her joining a political party in Morocco sparked a wide wave of interaction on social media platforms, ranging from welcome to criticism.
This controversy brings to the forefront an old, renewed question: Are activists allowed to change their positions and choices, or are they supposed to remain prisoners of previous stances, no matter how circumstances change?
Ziani was known as one of the voices associated with the Rif Movement protests, where she expressed her positions in a social and political context specific to that stage.
She spent a period in prison in the aftermath of those events, which made her name present in the public debate related to freedom of expression and protest.
Today, with her transition to partisan political work, she finds herself in a different position, opening new horizons for her to influence from within the institutions.
Observers believe that this transformation should not be understood as a contradiction, but as a natural extension of a political path that can take multiple forms. The transition from the street to the institution is a choice that many have taken, and is considered by some as a step towards contributing to change through official mechanisms instead of settling for protest.
In contrast, others criticize this decision, considering it a departure from the slogans that were raised during the protests, but this proposition is in turn met with questions about the realism of political positions, and the ability of individuals to review their choices in light of experience and transformations.
Defenders of Ziani emphasize that freedom of political affiliation is a right guaranteed to every citizen, and that individuals should be held accountable for their actions and practices in positions of responsibility, not just their choices.
They also point out that political history is full of models that have moved between different positions, without denying them what they do as long as they work within the framework of the law.
