In October 1958, riots started in the Rif region, as a result of marginalization of the region by the central authority. Sellam Amezian directed this movement. In fact, he embodied all the frustrations associated with independence. He came from a prestigious Riffian lineage that the new ruling class marginalized, he was a member of the MLA and the DIP, both of which the palace and the Istiqlal Party hoped to eliminate. He was also a victim of extortion at the hands of the authorities, having spent more than two years in prison without being formally charged. In 7 October 1958, the protesters issued a chart with a list of demands including The immediate withdraw of all foreign forces from Morocco, and the return of Abd el-Krim and his family to the country.