Re: Request for a self-determination referendum of the Kabylian people on the future of Kabylia

Mr. President,

On behalf of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia, the MAK, it is my duty to solemnly request you, by this letter, the organization of a referendum of self-determination of the Kabylian people on their political future and of Kabylia, in accordance with international law, including:

1. Article 1, paragraph 2 of the Charter of the United Nations,
2. Resolution of 1514 of 12/14/1961,

3.The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of 16/12/1966,

4.  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 10/12/1948,

5. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,

6. Article 30 of the Algerian Constitution of 01/11/2020,

It would be worthwhile to not taking our request for a malicious act on our side; we are driven by the best intentions to settle the Kabylian national issue that is poisoning Algeria and that has lasted too long. It has been raised not only since 1962, but since the annexation of Kabylia, without its consent to French-Algeria, the day after the Battle of Icherriden in June 1857, but especially after its armed insurrection of 1871 under the leadership of Agellid Ameqran (Mokrani) and Chikh Aheddad.

Moreover, it was this same denial to be imposed an identity and nationality other than its own that was at the origin of its massive commitment against French- Algeria. It is still this same principle that prevails against post French-Algeria since 1963.

You have noticed that Kabylia’s distrust of any power that is not its own has led it for more than 60 years to never recognize itself in the fundamental institutions of Algeria other than coerced and forced. Kabylia does not recognize itself in the Constitution, the presidency, the government or the parliament whose elections it has always boycotted, since at least 1999. It has never adhered to the country’s political orientations, whether economic, linguistic, religious or ideological. Algeria has always made political choices at the antipodes of the aspirations of the Kabylian people, including in terms of diplomacy.

The Algerian authorities are therefore faced with a Kabylian national issue to which they have not, at any time, known or wanted to provide a positive response. The fact of having obtained from you and your predecessors only denial, oppression, corruption and repression, had serious consequences:

1. To structure an Algerian-Kabylian colonial relationship that has nothing to envy to the one that already prevailed during the time of French colonization. Yet, this question has been dragging on since 1963. Algeria could have solved it more than half a century ago, in the aftermath of the war it had fought against Kabylia of Hocine Aït Ahmed and Akli Mohand Oulhadj.

2. A loss of credibility of Algeria on the international scene because of a blatant contradiction of a country that makes the promotion and defense of the right of peoples to self-determination a principle that it violently repressed internally. Algeria denounces in others what it practices with barbarism at home.

3. Maintaining political instability that prevents any economic, political, social or cultural progress of the country.

Mr. President,

Algeria deserves to go forward. It would be suitable for it to get rid of the Kabylian issue to finally experience internal stability, national cohesion and international respect.

Accepting the solution to the Kabylian issue by polls would in fact grow you up and make Algeria come out from above and beyond. The resolution of conflicts by democratic and peaceful means would inscribe your name in golden letters in the history of humanity.

Our availability to discuss with your officials the deadlines and modalities necessary for this popular consultation is acquired by you.

In the hope of a favorable response, I send you my most cordial greetings.

Exile, July 25th, 2025

Ferhat At Said, colonial name MEHENNI.