The Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK; French: Mouvement pour l’autodétermination de la Kabylie), formerly the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylie (French: Mouvement pour l'autonomie de la Kabylie), is a Kabyle nationalist and separatist political organization seeking the independence of the Kabylia region from Algeria. It was founded by the Kabyle Berberist Ferhat Mehenni, now president of the Provisional Government of Kabylie in exile, after the "Black Spring" disturbances in 2001. It is designated a terrorist organization by Algeria. In December 2025, MAK symbolically proclaimed Kabyle independence in a ceremony in France, however this move was not recognized by any country.
Movement for Self-Determination of Kabylie
| |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | MAK |
| Leader | Ferhat Mehenni |
| Founded | 30 June 2001 |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Ideology |
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| Political position | Far-right |
| Colors | Blue Red Yellow |
| Designated as a terrorist group by | Algeria |
| Party flag | |
| Website | |
| https://afraniman.org | |
| |
Terrorist activities
Since 2021, the MAK has been classified as a terrorist organization in Algeria after claims from the Algerian authorities saying that MAK members were planting car bombs. The founder of MAK, Mehenni, was arrested by the French authorities and placed in police custody in 2021 as part of an investigation into organised money laundering in relation to sports betting.
Algerian authorities accused MAK of ordering the widespread 2021 Algeria wildfires in the region of Kabylia. Five members of MAK were convicted in absentia for involvement in the murder of Djamel Ben Ismail on August 11, 2021. Among the members was the organization's leader, Ferhat Mehenni. On August 26, 2021, Algeria issued an international arrest warrant for Ferhat Mehenni.
In October 2021, Algerian authorities claimed to have thwarted a plot by MAK to carry out armed attacks in Algeria, allegedly planned by Israel and "a country in North Africa." 17 suspects were arrested as they were preparing the attacks.
In August 2024, Algeria reportedly foiled a terrorist plot allegedly linked to the MAK. The plan involved smuggling firearms to Algeria via Béjaïa from Marseille, France, ahead of the 2024 Algerian presidential election. Authorities arrested 21 individuals and seized 46 firearms, along with ammunition, foreign currency, and GPS devices.
On 14 December 2025, MAK symbolically proclaimed the independence of Kabylia from Paris, France.
Ideological rhetoric
Anti-Arab racism
MAK has been widely reported to exhibit anti-Arab sentiment. Its views have also been described as nativist and populist demagoguery, wherien they oppose "colonial Arabo-Islamism" in North Africa as indigenous people distinct from Arab Algerians. Senior MAK figures such as Bouaziz Ait Chebib have described their struggle as being against what they see as an "Arab-Islamic yoke" imposed on Kabylia. Sources note that MAK members have chanted racist slogans calling for the "departure of the Arabs from Kabylia."
Algerian authorities have completely suspended the activities of MAK in Algeria, accusing it of being a "separatist and racist movement" against Arabs, especially since the issue of Kabylia is a matter of unity and ethnocultural diversity. During the 2024 trial of 24 MAK members, the Algerian judiciary charged the group with "spreading ideas that encourage division, discrimination, and hatred."
French journalist Slimane Zeghidour noted that MAK is consolidating itself on foundations that are "openly anti-Arab, anti-Islamist, and pro-Israeli, including during the Gaza war." Amar Inegrachen characterized MAK as a fascist and far-right movement that goes as far as invoking "fascist and racist discourse" and "racial terminology" and evoking "Kabyle blood." He also noted that MAK did not simply develop separatist and racist rhetoric, but its supporters "transformed themselves into a veritable political militia" who stigmatize opponents of their ideals as "traitors." According to Abdennour Toumi, Algerians, including a large majority of Algerian Berbers, see MAK leaders as racists and fanatics.
Pro-Israel
MAK leader Ferhat Mehenni has long been an outspoken supporter of Israel, drawing comparisons between his own cause and the Zionist cause. He made a visit to Israel in 2012, meeting Likud hardliners such as Danny Danon, and took part in a pro-Israel demonstration in Paris in October 2023 amid the Gaza war. The relation has been described as consistent with Israel's periphery doctrine.
Foreign funding
In 2011, a close associate of Ferhat Mehenni and a former senior member of the organisation, Idir Djouder, accused the MAK of receiving funds from Morocco (250,000 euros per month) and criticised its management methods. Idir Djouder uses the term "dictator", he describes his "government" and the content of the meetings as formal with decisions taken "elsewhere".
See also
- Kabyle people
- Berber people
- Politics of Algeria
- Barbacha - A self-governing town in Kabylie.
- Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) - The main Liberal Berber party.
- Socialist Forces Front (FFS) - The main Socialist Berber party.
- Arouch Movement - A Kabyle political organization modelled on traditional village councils.
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