Republic of Kabylia

The Republic of Kabylia, officially the Federal Republic of Kabylia, is a symbolic republic that was proclaimed by a self-declared government-in-exile that claims independence for the region of Kabylia in northern Algeria. On 14 December 2025, the MAK unilaterally declared independence from Algeria at a ceremony in Paris, France. The MAK's leader, Ferhat Mehenni, president of the Kabyle provisional government (Anavad) in exile, proclaimed the creation of a "federal, secular and democratic Republic of Kabylia" and was presented as the president of the new republic.

Independence proclamation

The declaration was scheduled for 14 December 2025 in Paris. The choice of date—14 December—was symbolic, referencing the UN General Assembly’s 1960 resolution on decolonization.

On 14 December 2025, the MAK leadership, along with hundreds of supporters and foreign guests, convened in a private hall near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to proclaim the independence of Kabylia. French authorities had banned the originally planned public gathering (citing risk of public disorder), so organizers shifted to a closed venue under tight security. Ferhat Mehenni, clad in a traditional Kabyle burnous, formally declared Kabylia a sovereign state, stating that Kabyles were "putting an end to the subjugation [they have] endured since [the region’s] annexation by Algeria a century and a half ago, without ever having given its consent." The new polity was described as the "Federal Republic of Kabylia" – a secular, democratic state comprising Kabylia’s historical provinces – with Mehenni as its interim President. The Kabyle anthem was sung and representatives of other pro-independence movements and supportive politicians from France, Corsica, Québec, Catalonia, Israel and Morocco attended as a show of solidarity. The declaration, however, was explicitly a peaceful and symbolic initiative aimed at rallying international support.

Institutions and symbols

Constitutional documents released by the Kabyle Provisional Government propose a federal, secular, and democratic system with a bicameral legislature and an elected executive. Supporters emphasize that the proposed republic will pursue its objectives through diplomatic and non-violent means.

International status and reactions

France, which hosted the declaration ceremony, did not recognize the act and reiterated support for Algeria’s territorial integrity. Within Algeria, even many Kabyle political figures rejected the move – for example, the Kabyle-based FFS denounced it as a dangerous threat to national unity, while the head of the National Construction Movement government described the declaration as a "farcical" provocation. Pro-unity rallies were held in Kabyle cities (with Algerian flags) around the time of the Paris declaration.

The MAK–Anavad has actively sought international backing. Apart from UNPO membership, it has courted sympathy from European parliamentarians and rights groups by highlighting Algeria’s repression of Amazigh minority rights. In October 2023, a delegation from the Kabyle provisional government was informally received at the French National Assembly, prompting Algerian diplomatic protests. In a December 2025 written response to a parliamentary question, the UK government said it was aware of the intention to declare independence and would continue to monitor developments related to Kabylia.

See also

• Kabylia
• Kabyle people
• Berberism
• List of active separatist movements in Africa