Latest news with #Kabyle
Morocco World
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Analysis: For Algeria, Polisario is an Ally, MAK is a Threat
Doha – Algeria's military regime is waging a calculated geopolitical charade in North Africa, fueling instability abroad while silencing resistance at home. Under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and military chief Saïd Chengriha, the Algerian state has morphed into a launchpad for armed separatist agendas, even as it violently represses peaceful calls for autonomy within its own borders. This glaring contradiction lays bare a regime built not on principles of self-determination, but on selective oppression, weaponized hypocrisy, and a desperate bid to maintain regional influence at any cost. According to an analysis by Sahel Intelligence, 'this paradox is flagrant. Algeria, which qualifies the MAK as a 'terrorist group' without providing concrete evidence of violent acts, simultaneously offers official support to a movement like the Polisario, regularly associated with activities threatening the stability of the region.' The report exposes how Algeria's military leadership has weaponized the concept of self-determination, deploying it selectively to advance regional destabilization while denying the same rights to its own citizens. Algeria's handling of the two movements exposes a glaring double standard—sharp, deliberate, and impossible to miss. The Kabyle independence movement, represented by the Government of Kabylia in exile (GPK) in France, has consistently advocated for peaceful means to achieve self-determination. 'Under Ferhat Mehenni, the Movement for Self-determination of Kabylia (MAK) has always claimed a peaceful, secular and democratic struggle, rejecting any recourse to violence or terrorism,' notes the Sahel Intelligence analysis. 'The MAK denounces a policy of systemic marginalization of Kabylia by the Algerian state, on linguistic, economic, religious and identity levels,' adds the analysis. Meanwhile, Algeria provides comprehensive support to the Polisario Front, which has become 'a hired regional gun that implements Iranian agendas in North Africa.' This goes in line with Algerian objectives in the Western Mediterranean and the Sahel. Algeria's behavior exacerbates tensions and fuels risks of a major regional war that would set back decades of efforts to preserve peace, security, and prosperity in southern Europe and along Africa's Atlantic front. 'Alger furnishes refuge, financing and military as well as diplomatic assistance. Algeria hosts the movement in the Tindouf camps, presents it as a liberation movement, and advocates on its behalf in international forums,' the report states. Polisario's terrorist ties are an open secret The Polisario's terrorist ties are no longer whispers in the dark—they've stepped into the spotlight. Last April, Republican politician John Wilson stressed Washington's 'determination to support the North African kingdom in confronting the threats posed by Polisario Front terrorists' during a meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. Multiple intelligence reports have documented the Polisario's connections with terrorist organizations. The Sahel Intelligence analysis points to 'connections with Hamas and Iran, via weapons and training networks, complicity with AQMI (Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb) and other jihadist groups operating in the Sahel, facilitating arms trafficking and kidnappings.' These elements have led several observers and states to characterize 'the instrumentalization of the Tindouf camps by the chief of staff General Saïd Chengriha, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his advisers, for opaque paramilitary activities, far from the standards of international conventions on refugees.' The situation in the Tindouf camps has deteriorated significantly. Recent protests erupted following what the Sahrawi Association for the Defence of Human Rights (ASADEDH) described as a 'horrific massacre' committed by the Algerian army in the Arkoub district of the Dakhla camp. The incident resulted in two deaths and nine injuries, with three victims in critical condition. NGOs strongly condemned the Algerian army's actions, pointing out that Polisario militias not only failed to denounce the attack but actively aided in suppressing protesters demanding justice for the victims. The growing discontent within the Tindouf camps has ignited an unprecedented wave of dissent, with frustrated Sahrawis openly demanding an end to decades of exploitation and false promises. According to local sources, chants once unthinkable in Polisario-controlled zones are now echoing through the camps. As they muster the courage to oppose the separatist group's illusive agenda, this emerging cohort of Sahrawi dissidents is calling not just for relief from their prolonged suffering, but for the immediate acceptance of Morocco's autonomy initiative as the only viable path forward. The total collapse of Polisario's Algeria-sponsored separatism is increasingly within reach The United Kingdom's recent alignment with Morocco on the Western Sahara marks a profound geopolitical shift. Not only does this shift consolidate the position of the world's major powers – including the US, France, and Spain – in favor of Morocco's territorial integrity, but also signals the collapse of the post-colonial ambivalence that long enabled Algerian-sponsored separatism to persist. That even former colonial actors now endorse Morocco's autonomy initiative reflects a recalibration of global realpolitik: sovereignty, territorial integrity, and strategic partnership now outweigh outdated fantasies of Balkanizing North Africa. If regional tensions continue to escalate and mounting intelligence confirms links between Polisario members and activities that undermine regional security, the path toward designating the group as a terrorist organization in the medium term will become significantly clearer—and more politically inevitable. While the Polisario has not completely disappeared, it is weakened politically, diplomatically and militarily. The balance of power clearly favors Morocco, which is advancing its autonomy initiative, regional development plans, and garnering increasing international support. If the current trend continues, particularly if the US administration designates the Polisario as a terrorist organization, Algeria may find itself forced to reconsider its support for the separatist group to avoid incurring the wrath of America and the Western world. Read also: Hilale Slams Algeria's Regime Over Regional Destabilization, Hypocrisy, and Separatism
CairoScene
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Wewantsounds Label Reissues Les Abrains' Coveted 1983 ‘Album No 1' LP
An underground staple of Algerian-Kabyle rock, Les Abrains' cult 1983 LP gets its first-ever reissue. May 30, 2025 Paris-based record label Wewantsounds has reissued a rare private press of Les Abrains' highly sought-after 1983 LP 'Album No. 1' for the first time ever. Formed in France in the late 1960s by two young Algerian Kabyle workers, Shamy El Vaz and Karim Abdenour, Les Abrains is one of the pioneers of the Amazigh freedom rock sound in the late 70s to early 80s. Their unique blend of early psych-rock with Kabyle rock, funk and reggae has positioned them as one of the most influential figures in the North African music scene and beyond. Curated by Cheb Gero, who recently compiled the Sweet Rebels Rai set for Wewantsounds, 'Album No.1' (also known as Id Ed Was) showcases a masterful range of various sounds imbued with the Kabyle rock soul, from the reggae-infused cult classic 'Avehri' to the funk-driven 'Achethkhi' and the irresistibly groovy instrumental 'Thadoukli'. Originally recorded in Paris, the record was initially self-released and distributed exclusively within the Kabyle and Algerian communities in France and the Maghreb. Wewantsounds Records reissued the album with remastered audio by Colorsound Studio in Paris, the original artwork, and a two-page insert with new liner notes –in French and English–by the acclaimed Algerian journalist Rabah Mezouane. This also comes as part of the label's program dedicated to reissuing rare old gems from the Algerian music scene.
Ya Biladi
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Algeria arrests historian amidst UAE tensions and controversial Amazigh remarks
DR Estimated read time: 1' Following its statement targeting the United Arab Emirates, Algeria has arrested historian Mohamed Amine Belghit. He is accused of «undermining national unity», «inciting hatred», and «using information technology for propaganda that harms human dignity», according to a statement from the public prosecutor. «His remarks run counter to constitutional values relating to national unity, state sovereignty, and social cohesion», the statement added. After appearing before an investigating judge, Belghit was placed in provisional detention. In an interview aired on April 28 by the Emirati channel Sky News Arabia, Belghit claimed that the Amazigh movement was «created by French and Zionist intelligence services». Yesterday, the High Commission for Amazighity (HCA), an official body, condemned his comments. In a statement, the HCA denounced the remarks as «hate speech» that falls outside the bounds of free expression, calling them «a betrayal of the martyrs' memory» and «an affront to the spirit of November 1st». Officially recognized political parties such as the Socialist Forces Front (FFS) and the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) also voiced their outrage. The arrest of a figure previously considered close to the regime comes as Algeria has declared a state of general mobilization. The support of the Kabyle population is seen as crucial by the government in Algiers. In response, Ferhat Mehenni, president of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), stated that «Kabylie is not concerned by the general mobilization». As a reminder, Algeria has previously accused Morocco, France, and Israel of financially and militarily backing Kabyle separatist claims.
The National
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
May physical media picks, from indigenous Algerian funk to Graydon Carter's memoir
As physical media continues its comeback, The National rounds up the best releases across film, music, art and more. Algeria has a rich musical heritage – much of which the world has yet to discover. For instance, The music of the Kabyle people, indigenous to the north of the country, features some of the funkiest grooves in North Africa. Curious? Pick up Album No 1 by Kabyle group Les Abranis, a hidden gem released in 1983 and long circulated only within Algerian communities in France and the Maghreb region. While the band was popular in Algeria, they also faced opposition from the country's authorities, who viewed them as a societal threat due to their use of the Kabyle language, instead of Arabic. Reissued for the first time since its original release by Wewantsounds, this is a must-have for fans of so-called habibi funk. William Mullally, arts and culture editor I absolutely love Chilean-American author Isabel Allende – both Of Love and Shadows (De amor y de sombra) and The House of the Spirits (La casa de los espiritus) are novels I have come back to many times over the years. This May, she is releasing a new novel, My Name Is Emilia del Valle (Mi nombre es Emilia del Valle). Set in San Francisco and Chile in the 19th century, the story follows the eponymous Emilia Del Valle, daughter of an Irish nun, who is abandoned by her Chilean aristocrat partner. Emilia grows up to be a writer forced to publish her work under a male pseudonym and later as a journalist. Her work eventually takes her to Chile, where she sets out to uncover her family's roots. Farah Andrews, head of features Anytime I hear the expression 'they don't make 'em like they used to' I think of Graydon Carter, the legendary Canadian editor of Vanity Fair and Life. The brilliantly titled When the Going Was Good is his new memoir and it offers a lavish, name-dropping romp through the golden age of magazine publishing. From the hallways of Time in the 1970s to the seemingly endless budgets of Vanity Fair in its heyday, Carter tells tales – and he can certainly tell a tale – of decades of journalistic excess and achievement with disarming candour and sharp wit. He dishes on other luminaries - Anna Wintour, Princess Margaret and Christopher Hitchens - with relish, sparing no one, least of all himself. The book is rich with scandalous anecdotes, from sky-high expense accounts to Oscar party hijinks, but what lingers is Carter's irreverent joy in the trade. As co-founder of Spy, he helped to coin some long-lasting zingers aimed at then property developer Donald Trump – and the animosity lives on to this day. But beneath the glamour and high-society gossip lies a portrait of a bygone era when editors took wild risks and journalism was, in Carter's words, 'just plain fun". It is a compulsively readable love letter to an industry that is today – in the age of AI, algorithms and efficiency – a different beast altogether. Nasri Atallah, editor of The National's Luxury magazine Abbas Kiarostami is rightfully considered the cream of the rich Iranian film director crop and, while The Wind Will Carry Us may not be the best introduction to his oeuvre – that honour goes to Close Up – this contemplative masterpiece is essential viewing. The story follows an undercover documentarian (Behzad Dorani) who is assigned to cover a small village's funeral rites, but is continually frustrated because his potential subject, a sickly elderly woman, refuses to die. William Mullally, arts & culture editor Marco Brambilla's Demolition Man, starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes, is not your average 1990s action sci-fi film. It barely broke even after its theatrical release, but its magic and the appreciation of audiences grew on home video. Set in 2032, a police officer is awoken from his frozen state to pursue a criminal from his own time. In this future, crime is all but eradicated, but Snipes, the criminal from the past, wreaks havoc on the peaceful society. The expertise and know-how of Stallone's character, John Spartan, is needed to pursue the criminal who uses methods all but unknown to the future. The film has been praised in recent times for predicting futuristic technology including video conferencing and social media. Demolition Man has been remastered in 4K by Arrow Video. Faisal Al Zaabi, gaming and social media writer
Ya Biladi
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
MAK urges Marco Rubio to pressure Algeria over Kabylie
Feeling the winds blowing in its favor from the United States, the Movement for Self-Determination in Kabylia (MAK) is seeking to make the Trump administration aware of its demands. MAK advisor Elizabeth Myers, an American who heads the Marrakech-based firm Strategix Legal, sent a letter to Marco Rubio to this effect. She reminded the United States secretary of state of the letter he himself had sent in September 2022, when he was a senator, to his predecessor, Antony Blinken, regarding the $7 billion Algeria had earmarked for the purchase of Russian weapons. «Since then, the situation has only worsened. Algeria's defense budget is currently the largest in Africa, with $25 billion allocated for 2025—more than three times the $7 billion you were concerned about on September 14, 2022», she pointed out. Myers asserts that the MAK and the Kabyle government-in-exile (known as Anavad) are the principal opponents of Algeria's authoritarian regime and enjoy growing support among the 12 million Kabyles living at home and abroad. «The MAK continues to peacefully and relentlessly defend its oppressed people and march toward the establishment of a pluralist and democratic state, unlike Algeria's anti-democratic and demagogic military-religious oligarchy, which in no way represents the voice of the people». Elizabeth Myers : MAK draws inspiration from the U.S. Declaration of Independence To back up her indictment of the Algerian government, the Strategix Legal director referenced the latest report, published on January 30, 2025, by UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor on the human rights situation in Algeria. «She expressed dismay that more than a year after her visit to Algeria, human rights defenders, including lawyers, are 'still arbitrarily arrested, judicially harassed, intimidated, and criminalized for their peaceful activities' under Article 87 bis of the Algerian Penal Code, 'a vaguely worded anti-terrorism provision that is often misused to repress freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly'», wrote the MAK adviser. On the other hand, she notes that her client «is committed to democratic values such as free elections, freedom of expression, and freedom of religion, and to respecting a constitution that is largely based on the U.S. Constitution. The Kabyle constitution cites as its authority the U.S. Declaration of Independence» of July 4, 1776. Myers concluded her letter by requesting, on behalf of MAK President Ferhat Mehenni, a meeting with Marco Rubio or one of his representatives to «discuss how Kabylia can work with the United States to stabilize Africa and promote democratic principles and prosperity». In her letter, Elizabeth Myers also pointed to Algeria's support for the Polisario and its relations with Cuba and Venezuela. In its latest report on terrorism, published in December 2024, the Biden administration rejected Algeria's designation of the MAK as a terrorist organization. As a reminder, on April 20, 2024, from New York, the MAK declared the creation of the Kabyle state.
