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Morocco World
3 days ago
- 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
Asharq Al-Awsat
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
France Expels Algerian Diplomats in Tit-for-tat Decision
France said Wednesday it will expel Algerian diplomats in response to Algeria's decision to do the same. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said in a statement it had summoned Algerian officials to inform them of the decision, describing it as 'strict reciprocity' after 15 French officials were expelled from Algiers on Sunday. France called on Algerian authorities to 'demonstrate responsibility and to return to a demanding and constructive dialogue that had been initiated by our authorities, in the interest of both countries.' 'The Algerians wanted to send back our agents; we are sending theirs back,' French Foreign Minister Noël Barrot said on Wednesday, speaking to French broadcaster BFMTV. Algeria said it expelled French officials on Sunday because France had broken procedures, including in how it assigned new diplomats to replace a different set that were expelled last month. Despite economic ties and security cooperation, France and Algeria for decades have clashed over issues ranging from immigration to the painful legacy of French colonialism. Wednesday's decision came as Kabyle opposition figure Aksel Bellabbaci walked free after a Paris appeals court shunned Algeria's request to extradite him on terrorism charges. The 42-year-old vice president of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabyle (MAK) has lived in France since 2012.
Morocco World
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
France Shuns Algeria's Request to Extradite Kabyle Opposition Figure
Rabat — Kabyle opposition figure Aksel Bellabbaci walked free on Wednesday after a Paris appeals court shunned Algeria's request to extradite him on terrorism charges. 'The extradition request is without object,' declared the extradition chamber president, prompting brief applause from supporters in the courtroom. The 42-year-old vice president of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabyle (MAK) has lived in France since 2012. Algeria accused Bellabbaci of orchestrating deadly wildfires that killed 90 people in Kabylia in August 2021 and instigating the mob killing of painter Djamel Bensmaïl, mistakenly identified as an arsonist while helping fight the blazes. 'This brings great relief,' said defense attorney Gilles-William Goldnadel, adding that 'it's a beautiful day for French justice.' Anticipating Algiers' reaction to the French court's decision, Goldnadel slammed the North African country for lacking justice, saying, 'There is no justice in Algeria while the dictatorship oppresses its citizens, especially the Kabyle people.' Bellabbaci faces 14 charges in Algeria, some carrying the death penalty — a punishment still on the books despite a moratorium since 1993. He hasn't returned to his homeland since August 2019. Outside the courtroom, Bellabbaci said, 'The fight continues because we won't stop here. The Kabyle people are innocent of the accusations made by the Algerian regime.' Kabyle struggle for self-determination under Algeria's mistreatment Kabyle people started fighting for their autonomy against post-colonial Algeria, following the country's independence from French rule in July 1962. The journey of Kabyle struggle saw several events, including the war of Kabylia against post-colonial Algeria (1963-1965), the events of At Yiraten in June 1974, and the revolt of 1980 known as the 'Amazigh Spring.' Read also: Kabyle Independence Leader Announces Historic 'Rebirth' of Kabyle State Algeria's Amazigh people, estimated at approximately 5.5 million, claim recognition of their language and culture as well as political independence. The Kabyle people voice their demands through the Amazigh movement MAK-ANAVAD, which currently comprises two branches, namely MAK and the Provisional Kabylian Government (GPK). MAK, formed in June 2003, carries out field work, while Kabyle's diplomatic actions are channeled through the GPK, formed in Paris in June 2010. In 2024, the US State Department's annual report indicated , for the second time, that Algeria's designation of the MAK as a terrorist group was baseless, politically motivated, and reflects political dynamics within the country.
Ya Biladi
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
After Algeria, South Africa confronts new independence movement
The South African government is facing a growing independence movement in the Cape. Led by white Afrikaners descended from Dutch settlers, the movement is organized under the Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG). Its leaders plan to travel to the United States in April to seek support from Donald Trump, who stated in February that South Africa's white minority is the victim of unjust racial discrimination. The CIAG is calling on South African authorities to hold a self-determination referendum in the Cape— a request that was rejected this week by President Cyril Ramaphosa. His spokesperson, as reported by local media, reaffirmed the government's stance: «Our constitutional democracy that we forged in 1994 created a singular nonracial society that recognises and protects our unity and diversity. From Musina to Cape Town we are one democratic society that should never be allowed to fall under the chasm of race divides», he emphasized. «There's no part of our beautiful land that can be allowed to secede. The president cautions everyone to exercise his or her constitutional right but to do so in the manner that does not undermine and subvert constitutional democracy in South Africa», the spokesperson warned. Ramaphosa's firm rejection of Cape independence echoes Algeria's stance on the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), led by Ferhat Mehenni. Algiers has even classified the MAK as a terrorist organization. Yet, despite opposing separatist movements within their own borders, both Algiers and Pretoria remain staunch allies of the Polisario.
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.
