The Algerian regime accused the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK) on Tuesday of coordinating a “weapons smuggling” operation with the support of France’s intelligence services, announcing that it had arrested 21 Algerians allegedly involved in the plot to smuggle weapons and other items from the port in Marseille by commercial ferry to the city of Bejaïa in Kabylia.
The arrests, just three weeks before a crucial presidential election on September 7, have raised eyebrows both domestically and internationally, with many questioning the timing and validity of the allegations.
According to Algerian authorities, a significant cache of weapons and munitions was smuggled into the country from France via the port of Bejaïa by a man, Moussa Zaidi, and his wife in their minivan.
The government claims that these arms were intended for MAK operatives, who allegedly planned to use them to carry out “terrorist activities” aimed at disrupting the upcoming elections.
The Ministry of Defense alleged that this is part of a broader conspiracy involving “foreign” intelligence services, specifically targeting the stability of Algeria during a critical political juncture.
However, these claims have been met with strong denial and skepticism from the MAK and its supporters.
Ferhat Mehenni, the President of the Kabyle Government in Exile, has vehemently rejected the accusations, describing them as “fabrications” designed to discredit the pacifist movement for Kabyle self-determination.
Yesterday, Mehenni called for an international investigation into the matter, urging the European Union, the African Union, and the United States to “examine the allegations independently and transparently.”
Critics of the Algerian government’s narrative point to a pattern of similar accusations in the past, which were later discredited or dismissed due to a lack of evidence.
For instance, a 2021 arms-trafficking conspiracy that supposedly implicated the MAK is widely viewed as a politically motivated attempt to silence dissent.
The timing of the current accusations has fueled speculation that they are part of a broader strategy to distract from the government’s internal challenges, including widespread public discontent and recent diplomatic setbacks.
Adding to the controversy, a detailed analysis of the case was presented in a YouTube video published on August 15 by journalist Abdou Semmar.
The video, entitled “Algerian Crisis and Anti-Kabyle Diversion,” critically examines the official narrative, highlighting numerous “inconsistencies” and “contradictions” that undermine the credibility of the claims.
Semmar’s investigation suggests that the alleged “plot” may be a fabricated story aimed at justifying the government’s crackdown on the MAK and diverting attention from pressing issues such as the ongoing wildfires in Kabylia and the upcoming presidential election.
In the video, Semmar points out that the alleged arms trafficking case bears striking similarities to past incidents where the Algerian government used dubious claims to target the Kabyle population.
He references a 1978 case following the death of former President Houari Boumédiène, where the government accused Kabyle figures of plotting against the state, only for the accusations to later be revealed as a means of consolidating power.
The MAK, which was labelled a terrorist organization by Algeria in May 2021, a designation rejected by the US State Department in 2022, maintains that its mission is purely political and non-violent, advocating for the self-determination of the Kabyle people.
The group argues that the government’s latest actions are a desperate attempt to stifle political opposition and maintain control over a region that has long been a center of resistance against centralized Algerian authority.
As the situation develops, the international community is closely monitoring the unfolding of events.
The accusations against the MAK, coupled with the impending elections, have the potential to significantly impact Algeria’s political landscape.
Observers are calling for increased scrutiny and independent investigations to ensure that the truth is uncovered, and justice is served.
The outcome of these allegations will likely have far-reaching consequences, not only for the MAK and the Kabyle people but also for Algeria’s relations with key international partners, such as France.
With tensions running high and the credibility of the Algerian government’s claims under question, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future direction of the country’s political and social dynamics.