Nobody has expected such a scorn case of the Amazigh (Berber) identity denial at the heart of kabylia. The officials of the public record department or the civil status of the city of Tizi-Wuzu are not at their first misdemeanor.

In fact, few months ago after the Algerian authorities have refused to register the newborn Masstyass in the public records, the same case has been reported this week, by the same state officials, this time the newborn under the name of Massiles which is the name of the tribe of the Amazigh (Berber) king Massnsen (in Berber), said Massinissa, Massinissa the son of Gaia. Born around 238 B.C in the tribe Massiles. He died in 148 B.C .The king Massinissa, Amazigh leader that unified the whole Numidia under his rule, after centuries from his death the Algerian government wants to erase the history and prevents his descendants to wear Amazigh names. Note also that this case has lasted for more than five months.

This iterative and repeated action of Amazigh names denial recorded in the same city hall of Tizi Wuzu (city in kabylia), makes it clear about the intentions of the Algerian authorities, that violates the laws of the republic and takes away the Berbers freedom to claim their secular identity. Behavior acquired on the time of the single old political party, regardless of the impact that may have on the people of that region, the city hall of tizi wuzu has been a hostage of a group that belongs to FLN (Arabo-Baathist political party) since the last election, more than a half century those Baathists stood against everything that is related to Amazigh identity.
This ugly harassment against kabyles came up right on time when kabylia is experiencing the pressure from both parties islamists and government, kabylia is subject to a rough manipulation, few months right before an important election.

This denial of the amazigh (Berber) names that are not on the limited list made-up by the government is in itself a devious and ugly oppressive action. While names of Middle East or Arab origin like Oussama Ben Laden are allowed.The city of Tizi Wuzu administration reviews the anti-amazigh actions taken by the followers of the arabo-baathist movement in a spiritless condition. The forever struggle of kabylia for the recognition of its identity has been seriously harassed by the local administration agents.

According to Massiles's family, the baby is not registered yet, the name has been added to the family record book but the clerks at the counters of the public record department refused to put the name on the state record book. This scandalous behavior reflects the lack of awareness of the deciders about the gravity of this oppressive action, which may results in violence. The segregationist impulses of the city administration against the Amazigh since the rejection of the World Amazigh Congress meeting in kabylia, the offensive actions against the Christians minority, and many other actions of shame taken against the Kabyles may take a different dimension if the concerned entities turn the back to this petty conspiracy.

Mohamed Mouloudj

Translated from french by L.F