Al-Oroush links negotiations to approval of Amazigh as an official language
Algeria, Politics, 2/2/2004

Tansiqeyat al-Oroush ( the largest tribes in Kbylie berber area) threatened to stop negotiations with the Algerian government and resume demonstrations if the latter ( the government) does not vow to use the Amazigh language as an official through other means excluding the referendum.

A delegation representing Tanseqeyat al-Oroush refused a proposal made by the prime minister, Ahmad O Yahya, to holding a referendum and preferred that the issue be dealth with via the parliament, but he postponed taking a final decision after a meeting with local representatives.

The delegation did not set a certain date to carry out the demand, but he stressed he wants a commitment from the government to make the Amazigh as an official language in the future alongside the Arabic language.

The delegation started negotiations with the Algerian government on January 20 but decided to suspend it last Tuesday over differences on the Amazigh language.

In a session called upon by the Alegrian President, Abdul Aziz Butaflika, on April 2002, the Algerian parliament approved a constitutional amendment to make the Amazigh language as a national language.

The representatives of Tanseqeyat al-Oroush renewed on Saturday in a meeting in Tezi Rashed, near tezi Ozo, to the east of the capital in the greater Kbylie area, their position on the implementation of "al-Qaser memorandum."

The memorandum which was ratified by Tansiqeyat al-Oroush in 2001 in al-Qaser city near Bajjaya, to the east of the capital, includes 15 demands including recognition of the Amazigh language and ethnicity, and embarking on a reform and economic development in this poor mountainous area.

Worthy mentioning that the two sides reached an understanding on certain files including halting judicial suing against the representatives of al-Oroush and the demonstrators. and releasing the detainees, as well as issuing a taxation pardoning for the businessmen of the area.

The Algerian government approved on January 22nd the resignation of parliamentarians who were elected in the legislative and municipal elections, rejected by Tanseqeyat al-Oroush in May and October 2002, respectively.

This decision, however, raised the anger of parties, especially the socialist forces front, which is rooted in Kbylie area and dominates the majority of the municipal councils, which considered the decision as " a settlement deal."

Previous Stories:
  Algerian minister of interior criticizes presidential candidate over their demand to government resignation   (1/28/2004)
  Algeria, Kabylie, agree to quit illegal parliamentarians   (1/24/2004)
  International NGOs confirm humanitarian aid embezzlement in Tindouf camps   (1/24/2004)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search