Ferhat Mehenni (Kabyle: Ferḥat Mḥenni; ; born March 5, 1951) is an Algerian separatist, political activist, singer, and founder and first President of the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylia (MAK). He has been President of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (formerly known as the MAK Movement) since June 1, 2010.
In 2012, Mehenni was subjected to controversy after visiting Israel, where he voiced his support and solidarity for Israel, comparing it to Kabylia. In 2021, Mehenni's organization, MAK, has been classified as a terrorist organisation in Algeria after claims from the Algerian authorities saying that MAK members were planning car bombs. Mehenni is arrested by the French authorities and placed in police custody in 2021 as part of an investigation into organised money laundering in relation to sports betting.
Career and Politics
Early life
Mehenni was born on March 5, 1951, in Illoula Oumalou, Tizi Ouzou Province, Algeria. He graduated from the University of Algiers with a degree in political science. Mehenni won first prize in the Algiers Modern Music Festival in 1973. Soon after, he began his career as a protest singer and political activist.
Activism
Due to his hostility towards the Algerian government and extremists, Mehenni was arrested 13 times, imprisoned for 3 years, and tortured repeatedly by government forces.
In response to the Black Spring massacre in Kabylia, Mehenni established the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylia. The MAK was later reformed into the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia.
Mehenni's eldest son, Améziane Mehenni, was assassinated in 2004.
Bibliography
Mehenni is the author of Algérie: La Question Kabyle, published in 2004, in which he explains his ideas about Kabyle nationalism.