The founding conference of the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylia (MAK) opened on August 14 in the Bejaia province, with about 100 delegates.

The conference will ratify a formal structure for the organization, which was established in 2001 with the aim of achieving extensive autonomy for Kabylia, a Berber-majority region east of the capital of Algiers.

Movement founder and head Ferhat Mehenni stated that Kabylia is suffering from the regime’s attempts at Arabizing it, and from attacks by Islamists. He added that the movement would struggle for its path in a democratic fashion, but would refrain from participating in elections in the country.

Source: El-Khaber, Le Depeche de Kabylie, Algeria, August 15, 2007