Ferhat Mehenni
Ferhat Mehenni (Kabyle: Ferḥat Mḥenni; Arabic: فرحات مهني; born March 5, 1951) is an Algerian separatist, political activist, singer, and founder and first President of the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylia (MAK). He has been President of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (formerly known as the MAK Movement) since June 1, 2010.[1]
Ferhat Mehenni | |
|---|---|
 Photo taken at the gathering of September 4, 2011, on the Plaza of Human Rights in Paris | |
| President of the MAK | |
| Assumed office June 4, 2010 | |
| MAK Chairman | |
| In office August 24, 2001 – December 9, 2011 | |
| Succeeded by | Bouaziz Ait Chebib |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 5, 1951 Illoula Oumalou, Tizi Ouzou Province, French Algeria |
| Citizenship | Algerian |
| Political party | RCD (1989–1997) MAK (2001–present) |
| Alma mater | University of Algiers |
| Profession | Politician |
| Awards | NONE |
In 2012, Mehenni was subjected to controversy after visiting Israel, where he voiced his support and solidarity for Israel, comparing it to Kabylia.[2] In 2021, Mehenni's organization, MAK, has been classified as a terrorist organisation in Algeria after claims from the Algerian authorities saying that MAK members were planning car bombs. Mehenni is 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.[3]
Career and Politics
Early life
Mehenni was born on March 5, 1951, in Illoula Oumalou, Tizi Ouzou Province, Algeria. He graduated from the University of Algiers with a degree in political science. Mehenni won first prize in the Algiers Modern Music Festival in 1973. Soon after, he began his career as a protest singer and political activist.[4]
Activism
Due to his hostility towards the Algerian government and extremists, Mehenni was arrested 13 times, imprisoned for 3 years, and tortured repeatedly by government forces.[5]
In response to the Black Spring massacre in Kabylia, Mehenni established the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylia. The MAK was later reformed into the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia.[6]
Mehenni's eldest son, Améziane Mehenni, was assassinated in 2004.[4]
Bibliography
Mehenni is the author of Algérie: La Question Kabyle, published in 2004, in which he explains his ideas about Kabyle nationalism.
Discography
| Title | Translation | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Chants berbères de lutte et d'espoir | Berber Songs of Struggle and Hope | 1983 |
| Tuγac n ddkir | Songs of Steel, Love, and Liberty | 1994 |
| Tuγac n tmes d waman | Songs of Fire and Water | 1996 & 2001 |
| I Tmurt n Leqvayel | Hymn to Kabylia | 2002 |
| Adekker d usirem | Requiem and Hope | 2004 |
References
- https://www.kabylie-gouv.org/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - Sharon Udasin; Jan Koscinski (May 27, 2007). "Algeria's Kabylie craves friendship with Israel". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
- "Algérie : pourquoi Ferhat Mehenni, chef du MAK, a été entendu par la police française – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). May 19, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- MacEoin, Denis (March 22, 2010). "Dissident watch: Ferhat Mehenni". Middle East Quarterly. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- "Dissident watch: Ferhat Mehenni". Middle East Quarterly. March 22, 2010. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
- "Home". makabylie.org.