By Ferhat Mehenni on X

The official head of the Algerian state, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, declared on July 16, 2026, from Berlin that “opponents are welcome in Algeria.”

I believe the only welcome truly awaiting them is a prison cell.

Logically, if this statement were sincere, he would begin by repealing Article 87 bis of the Penal Code, along with the laws that have expanded its scope. He would then release all political opponents imprisoned under this notorious provision before inviting exiled opponents to return to their country.

For now, everyone who has been naïve enough to take this regime at its word has reportedly been required to sign a declaration of repentance beforehand, acknowledging that they were guilty of opposing the regime and committing themselves to fighting the very opposition they once belonged to.

Anyone who returns under such conditions renounces their acts of resistance through an act of surrender.

As Matoub used to say, in his view there were only two “R”s: the R of Resistance and the R of Surrender.

I call on all opponents to preserve their honor and dignity by refusing to place the slightest trust in promises that in no way bind the person making them.

In this regard, I salute the 53 individuals who signed a joint declaration demanding concrete actions from the regime—particularly the release of all political prisoners and the restoration of democratic freedoms—before even considering a return to their homeland. A homeland where, moreover, more than 100,000 people are reportedly subject to travel bans preventing them from leaving the country.

Long live theFederal Republic of Kabylia!