Algeria-Kabylie conflict: 80 Kabyle supporters arrested during a futsal final
The final of the Algerian Futsal Cup 2023-2024, which pitted the two senior Kabyle men's teams of Akbou Auzium Club and CF El-Kseur against each other, turned into an assertion of identity by young Kabyle people, highlighting the persistent tensions between the Kabyle people and the Algerian state.
In sporting terms, CF El Kseur won the trophy after a thrilling penalty shoot-out (5-3). But the event was marked by an act of political protest that overshadowed the sporting victory.
At the opening whistle of the match, as the Algerian national anthem sounded, numerous supporters from both teams turned their backs en masse. This collective action was a powerful moment of protest and an affirmation of Kabyle identity.
The Algerian occupiers were quick to react. More than 80 supporters were arrested by the police and interrogated. According to corroborating sources, these young Kabyle supporters were then humiliated by the police, forced to sing the national anthem with which they did not identify.
This event provoked indignation from Kabyle independence leader Ferhat Mehenni. In a statement, he denounced the Algerian authorities' repression and reaffirmed the right of the Kabyle people to self-determination.
The Kabyle national question remains a burning issue that cannot be resolved by repression and silence. Dialogue and recognition of the legitimate aspirations of the Kabyle people must be heard.
The reaction of the president of the movement for the self-determination of the Kabyle people on Media X:
A crucial event has received little coverage in the Algerian media.
On 2 May 2024, the final of the Algerian indoor football cup was held at the Coupole du 5 juillet, pitting two Kabyle teams against each other: Auzium d'Akbou and CF d'El Kseur. At the start of the match, the fans turned their backs en masse on the Algerian national anthem, which they perceived as colonial. More than 80 of them were arrested by the police who, after interrogation, humiliated them by forcing them to sing the anthem with which they did not identify.
The Kabyle national question was thus raised, despite all the attempts at repression aimed at extinguishing it. The repressive strategy of the Algerian state will never succeed in extinguishing the aspirations of the Kabyle people for independence.
Below is a video of the slogans chanted by the young supporters: Murderous power
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