The Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK) unilaterally proclaimed the independence of the “Federal Republic of Kabylia” on Sunday in Paris, during a private ceremony that went ahead despite an initial public ban by French authorities.
The ceremony, held in a private venue near the Arc de Triomphe, gathered MAK figures, activists, movement leaders, and several foreign dignitaries. The declaration marks an unprecedented step in Algeria’s political history since its independence in 1962, shifting the movement’s demands from identity and autonomy to an openly pro-independence stance.
The declaration was immediately followed by a speech from MAK president Ferhat Mehenni, who was presented as the president of the newly proclaimed entity. The event included the singing of the Kabyle anthem and speeches from members of parliament and activists from France, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Israel. Organizers hailed the event as “historic,” with images and statements circulating widely on social media.
The event was initially scheduled for the Palais des Congrès in Versailles but was banned by a prefectural decree citing a “serious risk of public disorder.” The organizers bypassed the ban by holding the ceremony in a private venue, thus complying with French law while avoiding a public gathering. Security was deployed around the site to prevent incidents, amid circulation of calls for counter-demonstrations attributed to networks close to the Algerian authorities.
Until now, the MAK’s demands have primarily focused on identity and autonomy. Sunday’s action aims to draw the attention of international public opinion, foreign governments, and multilateral institutions to the issue of Kabyle independence.
This initiative comes amid severely strained relations between the Kabyle movement and the Algerian authorities, who consider the MAK an illegal organization. For the movement’s leaders, the proclamation opens a new phase of mobilization and internationalization of the Kabyle issue, with political consequences expected both domestically and globally.
MK/ak/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA