By N. Tafat

Washington D.C —Numerous Algerians are expressing vehemently their opposition against Kabylia to be self-determined. Therefore, it would be insightful to find out some rhetorical standpoints behind this political stance. Before going further in my reflection, I just want to mention that Self-Determination is a universal right, enshrined in the United Nations (Chapter 1 of UN Charter), in which we can read “All peoples have the right of self-determination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.”

Given assassinations, repression, discrimination, several assimilations plans that Algeria has been enduring to Kabylia since 1963 in order to alienate it to the Arab-Islam World, would it be politically and humanly fair to Kabylia to be unsupported by Algerians whom, in meantime, are staunch defenders of the Palestinians cause and rights? 

How come to defend the same right to someone, and deny it to others? 

Are Algerians victims of Algerian military machinery propaganda, or in its essence a hegemonic people towards Kabylians?

Algerians never showed solidarity and support to Kabylians when they were hit and hurt by the Algerian state. In 2001, Kabylia stood up alone, and lost 130 unarmed protesters, and over 6000 were injured. However, in the same period, when Palestinians were brutalized by Israel, Algerians flocked Algeria’s streets to denounce Israel’s attitude in Palestine. It is an appalling double standard, and it looks that Algerians are closer to Palestinians than to Kabylians, even though Jerusalem is 1861 miles away from Algiers, probably or certainly because they share the same culture, mainly, Arabic language and religion.

In addition to the lack of solidarity and empathy, Algerians don’t hesitate at all to consider and describe Kabylians as French-Kids, Jewish, Atheists, Anti-Islam, Christians, Pork-eaters, Wine-drinkers, etc.

In fact, this narrative is a blatant antikabylism, a devious tactic and malevolent allegation to push the Kabyle people to violence, so that the Algerian state will find an inexcusable opportunity for coercion to harm and punish Kabylia citizens–For someone who wants to document this hateful speech, blended with vulgarity, a small detour into Algeria’s national media and Algerians social medias accounts is worthy to be made.

Therefore, since Kabylia has its specific culture values, fundamentally opposed to the values of the Arab-Muslim World, I believe Algeria state and its people will work hand in hand to squash the aspiration of Kabylia for freedom and a better future for Kabylia’s kids.

Furthermore, Algerians have a pernicious complicity with the Algerian horrendous and terrorist regime, simply and solely when it comes to harm Kabylia. The reason behind this coward contract is that Kabylians were in forefront of political struggle to emancipate Algeria from the grip of the Algerian military regime, that is ruling the country by resorting to terror, assassination, intimidation, extorsion, corruption, jailing, exiling political dissident and cracking down on independent media. All these Machiavellians strategies are used so that the Algerian military generals will stay in power for long to have control over the economy to serve their interests, families, and relatives. 

Now considering that Kabylia has decided to fight for freedom and wealth of its people, Algerian people felt left behind by Kabylia’s activism for dignity, freedom, and democracy. Instead of fighting against the Algerian military junta, and solidarize with Kabylians, Algerians opted to deny Kabylians a fundamental right by promoting chaos and status-quo rhetoric against the liberation of Kabylia. They are chanting “Algeria is one and indivisible”, they remind us that our parents fought against French colonialism for Algeria, they call us “Separatists”, “treaters”, “terrorists”, and “servitors of Morocco and Israel”.

But anyway, we are “Liberators”, “Independentists” and determined to free Kabylia from Algerian colonialism, regardless of circumstances and suffering. Kabylia will prevail for a bright future for its own kids.