Algeria Condemns Moroccan Statement on Kabyle People's Right to Self-determination

Algerian woman carrying the national flag during protests (AFP)
Algerian woman carrying the national flag during protests (AFP)
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Algeria Condemns Moroccan Statement on Kabyle People's Right to Self-determination

Algerian woman carrying the national flag during protests (AFP)
Algerian woman carrying the national flag during protests (AFP)

Algeria strongly denounced the statement of the permanent Moroccan representative to the UN, in which he declared the support for the "Kabyle people's right to self-determination."

Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN said the Kabyle people have the right to self-determination, describing them as "one of the oldest peoples in Africa, who are under the longest foreign occupation."

In response, the Foreign Ministry said it has the right to receive clarification of the final position of the Kingdom of Morocco regarding this extremely dangerous incident.

The ambassador added that "the Kabyle people deserve to enjoy their right to self-determination fully."

The Ministry announced that the Moroccan diplomatic representation in New York handed an official memorandum to all member states of the Non-Aligned Movement, the content of which is "officially devoted to demonstrating the Kingdom of Morocco's involvement in an anti-Algeria campaign."

It denounced the public and explicit support for the right of alleged self-determination of the Kabyle people who, according to the memorandum, "suffered the longest state of foreign occupation."

Earlier, during a virtual meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Azerbaijan, the Algerian Foreign Minister, Ramtane Lamamra, discussed the Sahara conflict.

The statement considered this memorandum to be a "recognition of the multifaceted Moroccan support currently provided to a well-known terrorist group," referring to the separatist Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK), which Algeria recently designated as a terrorist group, along with the Rachad Movement.

Algeria described the Moroccan diplomatic statement as: "Reckless, irresponsible and manipulative."

It stressed that it is "part of a short-sighted, reductive and futile attempt aimed at creating a shameful confusion between the issue of decolonization recognized as such by the international community and what is a mere conspiracy plotted against the unity of the Algerian nation."

The Moroccan statement directly contradicts the "principles and agreements that structure and inspire Algeria-Morocco relations, in addition to flagrantly contradicting international law and the constitutive law of the African Union," according to Algeria.

The Foreign Ministry's statement concluded by saying that in light of this situation arising from a dubious diplomatic act carried out by an ambassador, Algeria, which is a sovereign and indivisible republic, has the right to receive clarification of the final position of Morocco regarding this extremely dangerous incident.

The National Liberation Front issued a statement noting that the Moroccan memo "requires broad and urgent national action to deter any attempt to undermine Algeria's unity and territorial integrity."

It called on parties and associations to enhance national cohesion and support state institutions in these challenging circumstances.

For its part, the Democratic National Rally, a government member, denounced such a plan to undermine Algeria's stability, saying it officially involved Morocco in a campaign hostile to the nation.

The Islamic National Construction Movement described the Moroccan memo as "a declaration of war against every Algerian," calling for a quick and equal response from the state and its sovereign institutions.

The movement indicated that the situation requires immediate support and unity of all institutions and parties, putting all political differences aside.



In Absentia Trial of Hemedti Kicks off in Sudan over 2023 West Darfur Governor Murder

This file photo shows Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in Juba, South Sudan, on Oct. 21, 2019. (Reuters)
This file photo shows Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in Juba, South Sudan, on Oct. 21, 2019. (Reuters)
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In Absentia Trial of Hemedti Kicks off in Sudan over 2023 West Darfur Governor Murder

This file photo shows Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in Juba, South Sudan, on Oct. 21, 2019. (Reuters)
This file photo shows Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in Juba, South Sudan, on Oct. 21, 2019. (Reuters)

A Sudanese court kicked off on Sunday the in absentia trial of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, his brother Abdel Rahim and 14 members of the group in the murder of West Darfur Governor Khamis Abkar in June 2023.

The Port Sudan court listened to the prosecution’s opening statement. Attorney General Al-Fatih Tayfour described the case as significant and that it underscores the rule of law.

Akbar was killed on June 14, 2023, after he was kidnapped by the RSF. Videos circulated on social media showed his killing and the mutilation of his body.

The presiding judge demanded the maximum sentence against the accused. If indicted, they could either face life in prison or the death sentence.

He said Akbar was killed in cold blood with the participation of his deputy Tijani Al-Tahir Karshom.

The United Nations mission in Sudan had condemned the “heinous” murder, adding that witnesses attested that the “Arab tribe militias” loyal to the RSF had committed it.

It had called for the prepetrators to be brought to justice.

The RSF had denied its involvement in the crime, saying it was a dangerous escalation in local tribal conflicts. It said the criminals were “undisciplined” tribe members, while the army accused the RSF of involvement.