The Tangwall Campagin. This Sunday, December 14, the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK), of which you are president, will declare the independence of Kabylia. Why did you choose this date?
Ferhat Mehenni. December 14 is the anniversary of UN Resolution 1514 by which the General Assembly initiated the decolonization process. By choosing it to declare the independence of Kabylia, we are signaling to international opinion that our historic event follows in its wake. It is also a way of challenging the UN authorities on the imperative of updating its list of territories to be decolonized, closed since 1961. The continuous repression that Algeria has inflicted on Kabylia since 1963 calls for a single solution: independence. We opted for a peaceful approach, using diplomacy on the basis of texts enshrining the right of peoples to self-determination.
You have stated on several occasions that you are ready to discuss with Algeria, or even to postpone the deadline for this declaration under certain conditions. Which ones?
The conditions set out since April 20, 2024 to agree with Algiers on the modalities and deadlines for a referendum consultation in Kabylia are the release of political prisoners, the repeal of the villain article 87 bis of the Algerian Penal Code, which equates democratic demands with terrorism, and the withdrawal of the MAK from the list of terrorist organizations in which it was arbitrarily included.
Could you possibly give it up?
The deaf ear opposed by Algeria to our offers of dialogue no longer allows us to go back.
For several days, the Algerian regime has organized a large-scale media response, insisting that the Kabyles do not want this independence…
The Algerian colonial regime is exhausting itself and spending colossal sums to make people believe that Kabylia wants to remain Algerian. This is a sign of the excitement that is evident as each decolonization of a non-autonomous territory approaches. As far as we are concerned, we have provided proof of Kabylia’s deep aspiration for its freedom. Kabylia has been boycotting the polls at our call for six presidential and legislative elections. Kabylia is today in a no man’s land geopolitics. It is not attached to Algeria neither by the executive authority, nor by the legislative authority, nor by the Constitution. He needs to get out of this impasse. We believe that the declaration of independence of December 14 is the royal road to this.
Do you not fear that this initiative will lead to reprisals on the spot, in particular against Kabyle prisoners detained in Algeria or even the French journalist Christophe Gleizes ?
The international community should prevent such a drift. Algeria is required to respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the UN Charter. If Algiers gives in to the madness of reprisals, it will only accelerate the effective advent of our independence and will be judged responsible by the international community for a regional destabilization that no one wants. I take the opportunity of this interview to launch a new call for dialogue and restraint. I also remind you that we are a peaceful movement refusing to embark on the path of violence. I continue to be attached to it more than ever.
Have you received support from foreign powers? Are you counting on that of France?
We have promises of recognition. Although French political figures have assured us of their support, the Élysée has so far given no sign in this direction.
