In an interview with the press, Ferhat Mehenni, President of the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylie (MAK), discusses the recent accusations made by the Algerian regime against his movement. Mehenni describes these accusations as “pure lies” and “falsehoods,” affirming the peaceful nature of his movement.
Key Points from the Interview:
Motivations Behind the Accusations:
- Mehenni believes the regime aims to portray the movement as terrorist for internal political purposes.
- He links the escalation to the upcoming presidential election campaign on September 7.
Denial of Terrorism Accusations:
- Mehenni emphasizes the peacefulness of the movement, rejecting accusations of possessing weapons or planning terrorist acts.
- He points to international praise for the movement’s peaceful approach.
Fires in the Kabylie Region:
- Mehenni denies the movement’s involvement in the fires.
- He accuses the Algerian regime of instigating the fires as part of a “scorched earth” policy.
Presidential Elections:
- Mehenni predicts Algeria’s continued decline if the current regime persists.
- He warns of Algeria’s increasing international isolation.
Accusations of International Collusion:
- Mehenni sees the accusation of other countries colluding with the movement as playing in its favor.
This interview reflects the ongoing tension between the MAK movement and the Algerian regime, with the movement emphasizing its peaceful approach in the face of the regime’s accusations. The interview also highlights the political and security challenges facing Algeria in the near future, especially with the upcoming presidential elections.
