Algeria: Tebboune gets cold shoulder during visit to Tizi-Ouzou ahead of presidential election

Embattled Algerian President Abdelmajid Teboune has been snubbed by the residents of Tizi-Ouzou, stronghold of Kabyle people seeking independence and liberation from the yoke of tyranny and dictatorship of the Algerian regime.

This visit, which took place on July 10, was announced several times but cancelled over fears of demonstrations against the ruling junta by Hirak activists and Movement for Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK).

On the morrow of the visit to Tizi Ouzzou, Tebboune announced Thursday his intention to enter the presidential race for a second term.
The announcement was made in a video posted on the Facebook page of the presidency.

Tebboune, 78, whose first mandate ends in December was elected in 2019. Last March, he announced the holding of early presidential elections on September 7.

During his four-year tenure, Tebboune visited only four cities after deployment of impressive security forces. He rarely ventured outside El-Mouradia presidential palace to avoid clashes with pro-democracy protesters.

In 2019, the voters of Tizi-Ouzou and Kabylia region boycotted the presidential elections. Their stand remains unchanged. They boycotted again Tebboune’s visit as many local militants have been sentenced to death, while others are still detained without trial or charges.

The Kabyle people continue to suffer repression, persecution, arbitrary arrests and lack of freedom of movement, expression, and assembly. After decades of bloody Algerian military occupation, the 10-million Kabyle people, living in Northern Algeria, stood up for their right to establish their own independent State.

In April 2024, Ferhat Mehenni, President of the Provisional Kabyle Govt. in Exile and MAK leader, proclaimed in New York Kabylia independence. He reaffirmed the Kabyle people’s attachment to their independence and rejection of the Algerian authorities’ control and recalled the boycott of the Kabyle of the Algerian presidential and legislative elections.

An independent Kabyle Republic had existed decades before the creation of Algeria. It is a geo-historical reality, with its own territory and culture. It was in 1857, 20 years after the decree creating Algeria that Kabylia was annexed.