Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie

The Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK; Kabyle: Amussu i ufraniman n tmurt n iqbayliyen; French: Mouvement pour l’autodétermination de la Kabylie; Arabic: حركة تقرير مصير منطقة القبائل), officially named the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylie (Kabyle: Afraniman i Tmurt n Yeqbayliyen; French: Mouvement pour l'autonomie de la Kabylie) before 3 October 2013, is presented like as a Kabyle nationalist It is a separatist politic organization seeking autonomy, self-determination rights of the Kabyle people, who are now and historically lied to Algeria. MAK ask for the independence of the "Kabylie" "region" that officially corresponds to the Algerian recognized wilayas (regions) of Tizi Ouzou, Béjaïa, Bouira, and Khenchela.

Movement for Self-Determination of Kabylie French: Mouvement pour l’autodétermination de la Kabylie Kabyle: Amussu i ufraniman n tmurt n iqbayliyen
Leader	Ferhat Mehenni
Founded	30 June 2001
Headquarters	Paris, France
Ideology	Independentism Kabyle nationalism Secularism Sovereignty Berberism
Colors	Blue   Red   Yellow
Designated as a terrorist group by	Algeria
Party flag
Politics of Algeria Political parties Elections

Also there are disappointing about the real map and exact location of that region, because Kabyle people live out-side the territory that MAK is asking for, and also non Kabyle people live in the region concerned. The MAK mouvement was founded by Ferhat Mehenni, nows days, he try to claim the role of president of the Provisional Government of Kabylie, that is supported by morocco, Israel. The United Nations does not officially recognize Kabylia or the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylia (MAK) as a separatist cause under international law. And the country independence was never voted at the united nations. But we must notice the kabyle pepole vote for the referendum for Algeria’s self-determination, held on July 1, 1962, (after algerian war of independance against France) that referendum included all regions of Algeria, including Kabylia. The overall turnout was high, with 99.72% of voters favoring independence from France, and the creation of the state of Algeria The United Nations played a crucial role in observing the process, recognizing the Algerian people's right to self-determination.

The UN supported the independence process but did not recognize Kabylia as a region warranting a separate referendum. To this day, Kabylia remains an integral part of Algeria, with no specific recognition for autonomy. Kabylia region is not different or "Fractured from the rest of the country" because Algeria respects the right of kabyle people to exist with their language and culture in Algeria. The official languages of Algeria written in constitution are Arabic and Tamazight / Kabyle (kabyle people language) </ref[1]</ref>

Since 2021, the MAK has been classified as a terrorist organisation in Algeria after claims from the Algerian authorities saying that MAK members were planting car bombs. The founder of MAK, Mehenni, is arrested by the French authorities and placed in police custody in 2021 as part of an investigation into organised money laundering in relation to sports betting.

In 2011, a close associate of Ferhat Mehenni and a former senior member of the organisation, Idir Djouder, accused the MAK of receiving funds from Morocco (250,000 euros per month) and criticised its management methods. Idir Djouder uses the term "dictator", he describes his "government" and the content of the meetings as formal with decisions taken "elsewhere".

Algerian authorities accused MAK of ordering the widespread 2021 Algeria wildfires in the region of Kabylia. Five members of MAK were convicted in absentia for involvement in the murder of Djamel Ben Ismail on August 11, 2021. Among the members was the organization's leader, Ferhat Mehenni. On August 26, 2021, Algeria issued an international arrest warrant for Ferhat Mehenni.

The MAK, also try to organize attacks in the Algerian Kabyle region at the city of Bejaïa, 21 terrorists were arrested after trying to bring war weapons in Algeria; we can in articles published from multiples sources at 14/08/2024 .</ref>Algérie : importante saisie d'armes et 21 arrestations au sein d'un «réseau terroriste»</ref>

The Algerian website elmoudjahid.com confirms the news of that 21 terrorists, that news was also published and confirm by : TSA : Tout sur l'Algérie and Algérie 360 </ref>[2]</ref> Algérie 360 </ref>[3]</ref> i24news : the official x account has posted a news about that event </ref>[4]</ref>

The website elmoudjahid.com also provides an information that "several other attempts had been thwarted by various specialized services of the ANP (People's National Army). algerian army

Also in the article of elmoudjahid.com,

Morocco is accused of being hostile: We can read : 'The involvement of Morocco and its ally, the Zionist entity, the "state" of Israel) has been established in these criminal fires. Ferhat Mehenni, the leader of this terrorist organization, is, according to experts, a 'puppet' of Morocco and Mossad, serving the dark designs and plans aimed at destabilizing Algeria, especially with major events approaching.'"

These accusations seems based: Several times the mak officially announced to stand with morroco and israel in conflict beyond theses coutry and Algeria. </ref>[5]</ref>

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For example i24news an official Israeli media publish an article about the MAK, supporting the movement : </ref>[9][10]</ref>

Theses support against Algeria are not rare: it happens frequently: algeria-israel morocco-Algeria It can be explained by several reasons:

Between Algeria and morocco It is not the first time a conflict about territories appends with Algeria, and morocco as an direct or indirect actor: 1 year after Algerian independence The Sand War of 1963 was a brief border conflict between Morocco and Algeria over territorial disputes. Morocco try to invade the Algerian territory. This conflict established a foundation of mistrust and rivalry between the two nations, which has persisted over the decades.

A fews years after : 1975 Morocco claims sovereignty over Western Sahara, a territory that has been the subject of a protracted conflict involving the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the region. Algeria supports the Polisario Front and advocates for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. One of the reason was Sahrawi people were going out from western sahara to Algeria specially in Tindouf This ongoing dispute between Morocco and Algeria over Western Sahara further intensifies the tensions.

For Israel Algeria has been a steadfast supporter of the Palestinian cause and groups like the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the hamas This support includes vocal criticism of Israeli policies and actions, and also at the past directs attacks on Israel like at kipourwar That positioning Algeria as a significant opponent of Israel in the Arab and African worlds.

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Israel views Algeria’s support for Palestinian causes and its alignment with other anti-Israel movements as a direct challenge to its regional strategies. This antagonism is rooted in Algeria’s historical and ongoing opposition to Israeli policies and its support for groups opposing Israeli interests.

Also Morocco’s normalization of relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords in 2020 represents a strategic shift that aligns it with Israel against common regional adversaries. Algeria had a important army that makes israel and morocco views Algeria as a potential threat: in an article published by french media franceTvInfo, </ref>[12]</ref> French Army officers believe that Algerian naval forces has acquired significant capability to control access to the Strait of Gibraltar through its submarines and cruise missiles. This capability would allow it to block this strategic route in the Mediterranean. <israel and morocco are both Mediterranean countries> However, experts suggest that this military buildup is primarily intended to deter Morocco rather than to prepare for a naval offensive.

We can imagine Morocco and Israel’s alignment against Algeria can be seen as a strategic partnership aimed at countering a shared adversary. Morocco’s normalization with Israel and its efforts to secure its interests in Western Sahara align with Israel’s broader geopolitical strategies, which may include countering Algeria who have a large power in the region.

So the support for separatist movements in Algeria by Morocco and Israel can therefore be interpreted as a reaction to Algeria, which also pursues a hostile policy and supports independence movements targeting both states.

See also

• Kabyle people
• Berber people
• Politics of Algeria
• Barbacha - A self-governing town in Kabylie.
• Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) - The main Liberal Berber party.
• Socialist Forces Front (FFS) - The main Socialist Berber party.
• Arouch Movement - A Kabyle political organization modelled on traditional village councils.

External links

• "The Other Intifada" Boston Globe report on the MAK
• "Autonomy in Kabylia: breaking a taboo" Discussion of the autonomist movement in Kabylia in general by Professor Salem Chaker.
• (in French) MAK official website