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Pro-sovereignty leader calls Kabylia to "regain its freedom in order to exist"
Demonstrations held in Kabylia to demand a referendum on self-determination from Algeria · Tamazight to be recognized as official language, not as state language
The party wants Algeria to allow the Kabyles to hold a referendum on self-determination. Today's demonstrators are also calling for an end to Kabylia's "Salafization" and "Arabization," and are asking for the creation of a "Kabyle, democratic, progressive university."
MAK leader and president of the self-styled Kabyle Government in Exile (Anavad) Ferhad Mehenni recalled that the Kabyle "have survived all settlers" who have occupied their land and will continue to do so"forever." "In order to exist," Mehenni said, "the Kabyle people must regain its freedom."
MAK calls for the establishment of a Kabyle state. Until recently, the party demanded the creation of an autonomous Kabylia within Algeria.
Official recognition for Tamazight, but not as a state language
Demonstrations this year are being held a few days after the Algerian presidency unveiled a draft constitutional reform that for the first time ever declared Tamazight to be an Algerian official language. But the reform bears an important nuance: Arabic will remain the only official language of the Algerian state.
Some sectors of the Amazigh movement are wondering whether any rationale exists at all if an official language is not to be a state language as well. They fear that the 2002 scheme is repeated -Tamazight was then declared "a national language," but not an official one.
A tribute to Mohand-Arav Bessaoud
On the eve of today's demonstrations, a tribute to Mohand-Arav Bessaoud was organized by the MAK. Bessaoud, who died in 2002, was one of the most important Amazigh activists and intellectuals of the 20th century. This Kabyle leader participated in the struggle for Algerian independence, and after the end of French colonial rule, was involved in political Amazighism. He fostered the Tamazight language, the Tifinagh script, and he designed the Amazigh tricolor flag as well.