Algiers – In a striking public statement, Zouhir Ben Agoud, the nephew of Ferhat Mehenni, has issued an open letter denouncing his uncle’s separatist activities. The letter, obtained by DZWatch, expresses a firm rejection of Mehenni’s calls for secession and reaffirms the unwavering importance of Algerian unity.
Ben Agoud’s message transcends familial ties, evolving into a potent declaration of national allegiance. He emphasizes that while blood relations are significant, they cannot dictate personal convictions or supersede the duty to defend one’s nation when it is threatened. He argues that Mehenni’s stance is no longer a mere personal opinion but an issue that directly impacts Algeria’s future and territorial integrity.
The letter reveals a shift from admiration to disillusionment. Ben Agoud recounts his childhood admiration for Mehenni as an artist and activist, recalling visits during his uncle’s imprisonment, where he viewed him as a symbol of defending identity, dignity, and Algeria. However, this admiration, according to Ben Agoud, has been replaced by disappointment and pain as Mehenni embraced a separatist agenda and seemingly disavowed the homeland he once championed.
Drawing upon historical context, Ben Agoud reminds readers that their grandfather sacrificed his life for a unified Algeria, not for divisive projects or external agendas. He criticizes what he perceives as Mehenni’s transformation into a tool exploited by foreign entities seeking to weaken Algeria and undermine its unity, regardless of the interests of the Kabylie region or its people.
Ben Agoud strongly condemns the demonization of Kabylie citizens who reject separatism and remain committed to Algeria. He questions who truly deserves the label of “traitor”: those who defend their country or those who echo rhetoric aligning with foreign agendas, be they Moroccan or Zionist, aimed at destabilizing the nation. He recalled the events of 1963, when the people of the Kabylie region, despite internal differences, chose to defend the unity of the national territory in the face of Moroccan aggression.
DZWatch will continue to follow this developing story.
