Hosni Mubarak's resignation in Egypt has given a boost to popular movements in other Muslim countries. Most of them are going through civil protests and demonstrations that are shaking the establishment of their respective governments. An emerging movement seeking to put pressure on the 10-years old Abdelaziz Bouteflika's régime is currently growing in Algeria.

Kabylia as a starting point

The protests sparked off in Cabylia, Algeria's Amazigh region. The Amazigh population came into conflict with the Algerian state ever since the 2001 Black Spring, a series of violent disturbances and political demonstrations by Kabyle activists, which were met by repressive police measures and became a potent symbol of pro-Amazigh discontent with the state government. There were clashes last week between police and Amazigh demonstrators demanding jobs and improvements of basic infrastructures. Demonstrators cut the Kabylia-Algiers main highway and were violently cleared by police forces.

On February 12 the National Coordination for Democracy and Change (CNDC) called to demonstrate in the streets of Algiers against the government and in favour of a constituent process. About 2,000 people attended the march, which ended up with rioting, dozens of wounded and hundreds of people arrested. CNDC, which has called another rally for February 19, is made up of several Algerian associations and political parties, and has a strong support among Kabylian activists. "Kabylia is the only place where a real transition towards democracy can now take place in Algeria", they argue.

Persecution of Amazigh culture

Algeria is not the only country where Amazigh culture is repressed. Amnesty International denounced early in February that two brothers Mazigh and Madghis Bouzakhar are kept under arrest in Libya since December and could have been tortured. They have been charged with "spying and collaboration with Israel and Zionism", although they claim to have been detained for "being interested in Amazigh culture".

Further information:

• Nationalia: Peoples and nations today: Amazighs