Published: May 5, 2025
A diplomatic crisis erupted between Algeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on May 2, 2025, following a scathing media attack by Algerian state television against Abu Dhabi. While the official trigger was a controversial interview on Sky News Arabia with Algerian historian Mohamed Lamine Belghit, exclusive reports reveal a deeper cause: alleged UAE contacts with the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), a Kabyle independence group labeled a terrorist organization by Algeria in 2021. This “Kabyle equation” has transformed a geopolitical rivalry into a high-stakes diplomatic confrontation, raising questions about regional stability and Algeria’s territorial integrity.
The Kabyle Equation: A Hidden Catalyst
According to the Horizons Geopolitical Institute, Algerian intelligence uncovered communications between figures close to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) and MAK leaders. These contacts, suspected since mid-2023, are seen by Algiers as a direct threat to its sovereignty, given the MAK’s push for Kabyle autonomy in northern Algeria. The Kabyle region, home to the Berber-speaking Kabyle people, has long been a sensitive issue for Algeria, which views any foreign support for MAK as an attack on its national unity.
Algerian authorities have intensified surveillance of MAK activities, both domestically and abroad, with the Directorate General of External Security and Documentation (DGDSE) attempting to infiltrate the group’s leadership. A confidential report, reportedly submitted to the Algerian presidency in late April 2025, linked Emirati figures to MAK, prompting Algiers’ aggressive response.
Timeline of UAE-MAK Contacts
Investigations by the Horizons Geopolitical Institute outline a detailed chronology of the alleged UAE-MAK rapprochement:
- Mid-2023: Initial Outreach – Exploratory contacts were established through British intermediaries, including parliamentarians sympathetic to the Kabyle cause.
- March 2024: New York Meeting – A pivotal meeting in Manhattan involved MAK representatives, Emirati diplomats, and Saudi and Bahraini envoys, setting a roadmap for discreet cooperation.
- June-December 2024: London Talks – Regular meetings in London, facilitated by UK politicians, solidified ties, with at least four documented encounters.
- Early 2025: Potential Support – Discussions reportedly shifted toward logistical support and international advocacy for MAK, though no concrete financial backing has been independently verified.
A MAK source confirmed “advanced contacts” with the UAE, noting Emirati interest in parallels between the Kabyle cause and other regional self-determination movements. A March 2025 meeting reportedly saw Emirati emissaries express willingness to promote Kabyle issues globally.
Algeria’s Response: A Multi-Level Strategy
Algerian intelligence has adopted a comprehensive approach to counter the perceived threat:
- Enhanced Surveillance: Increased monitoring of MAK figures in Algeria and the diaspora.
- Diplomatic Mobilization: Algerian embassies are tracking Emirati representatives’ activities.
- Media Campaign: State media has launched attacks to discredit MAK and its alleged foreign backers, as seen in posts on X. (https://x.com/TheMaghrebTimes/status/1919022771297796195)
- Regional Security: Strengthened measures in Kabyle areas to suppress MAK activities.
The Algerian reaction reflects the existential importance of territorial integrity, a cornerstone of its post-independence identity. The MAK, founded by Ferhat Mehenni in 2001, has been a persistent challenge, culminating in its 2021 terrorist designation after advocating for Kabyle statehood.
$Historical Tensions Fueling the Crisis
The Algeria-UAE rift is rooted in longstanding disagreements:
- Libya (2020-2022): Algeria backed the UN-recognized Government of National Accord, while the UAE supported Khalifa Haftar.
- Israel Normalization (2020): The UAE’s Abraham Accords were seen by Algeria as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause.
- Sahel Instability (2023-2024): Algeria accused the UAE of backing armed groups in Mali, potentially linked to Wagner, threatening regional security.
- Tebboune’s Remarks (April 2024): President Abdelmadjid Tebboune indirectly criticized a “small country” for regional destabilization, widely interpreted as targeting the UAE.
These frictions, combined with the MAK issue, echo Algeria’s 2021 diplomatic break with Morocco over similar accusations of supporting Kabyle separatism.
Algeria’s Contradictory Stance on Self-Determination
The crisis highlights Algeria’s inconsistent approach to self-determination. While Algiers champions the Polisario Front in Western Sahara and the Palestinian cause, it vehemently opposes Kabyle autonomy. MAK leaders have capitalized on this “double standard,” arguing it strengthens their case with international interlocutors like the UAE, who see parallels in selective sovereignty claims.
This contradiction undermines Algeria’s global advocacy for self-determination, exposing a pragmatic use of the principle to counter rivals like Morocco while suppressing domestic dissent.
Potential Scenarios and Regional Implications
The crisis could unfold in two ways:
- Controlled Escalation: Algeria may sustain media pressure to extract UAE assurances on halting MAK contacts, avoiding a full diplomatic rupture.
- Diplomatic Break: Confirmed UAE support for MAK could lead to severed ties, mirroring Algeria’s 2021 split with Morocco.
The “Kabyle equation” complicates Middle East and North Africa geopolitics, with the UAE’s alleged outreach to MAK signaling a broader strategy to counter Algerian influence. This aligns with Abu Dhabi’s regional ambitions, as seen in its Sudan and Libya policies, though it risks escalating tensions with a key North African power.
Conclusion
The Algeria-UAE diplomatic crisis, ignited by alleged UAE-MAK ties, transcends a mere media spat, touching on Algeria’s core concerns about sovereignty and regional influence. As Algiers ramps up its response, the “Kabyle equation” emerges as a pivotal factor in reshaping bilateral and regional dynamics. With the UAE’s global outreach under scrutiny, the outcome of this standoff will influence power balances in the Maghreb and beyond, highlighting the intricate interplay of nationalism, sovereignty, and foreign interference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Kabyle independence movement (MAK)?
The Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), founded in 2001 by Ferhat Mehenni, seeks autonomy or independence for the Kabyle region of northern Algeria. Labeled a terrorist organization by Algeria in 2021, it advocates for the Berber-speaking Kabyle people’s rights, citing marginalization by the central government.
Why is Algeria sensitive to foreign support for MAK?
Algeria views its territorial integrity as non-negotiable, with the Kabyle region integral to national unity. Foreign backing for MAK, classified as a terrorist group, is seen as a direct attack on sovereignty, especially given historical tensions with neighbors like Morocco.
What triggered the Algeria-UAE diplomatic crisis in May 2025?
The crisis was officially sparked by a Sky News Arabia interview with historian Mohamed Lamine Belghit, but Algerian intelligence’s discovery of alleged UAE contacts with MAK is the deeper cause, escalating tensions.
How have Algeria and the UAE clashed in the past?
Past conflicts include divergent Libya policies (2020-2022), the UAE’s normalization with Israel via the Abraham Accords (2020), and Algeria’s accusations of UAE-backed instability in the Sahel (2023-2024).