Chronology of the Major Events
that Led to the Institutionalization of Tamazight in Algeria
BY LYNDA TAFILALT
Sept. 10, 1994:
Beginning of the school boycott. Demonstrations are held in the
Kabyle provinces.
Sept. 15:
Massive demonstrations are held in several cities, namely
Tizi Ouzou, Tubiret, Bgayet, Setif, Bordj Bou-Arreridj, Jijel, and
Batna. Thousands of people went to the streets to show their support
for the Amazigh revendication.
Sept. 27:
Prime Minister Sifi calls for the creation of a national commission to
introduce Tamazight in school curricula.
Oct. 1:
March in favor of Tamazight is held in M'chouneche, Biskra.
Oct. 4:
Sifi announces the creation of the commission in question.
The MCB rejects Sifi's decision.
Oct. 5:
Beginning of a two-day general strike in Kabylia, Algiers, and Rouiba.
Oct. 6:
First meeting between Sifi and the MCB. The talks failed.
Oct. 7:
The MCB march in Bordj Bou-Arreridj was forbidden by the authorities.
Oct. 11:
A massive demonstration is organized by the MCB in Boumerdes.
Oct. 27:
The MCB march in Algiers is forbidden by the authorities.
Nov. 12:
Beginning of a three-day general strike in Kabylia.
Nov. 24:
MCB delegation meets with Sifi for negotiations. No progress.
Dec.:
The UGTA (Union of Algerian Workers) inscribes the Amazigh revendication
in its political resolution.
Dec. 22:
Demonstrations in Tizi Ouzou and Bgayet.
Jan. 5, 1995:
Meeting of the Sifi commission: creation of a national council
for the promotion of Tamazight and a "Comite de Sages" supposedly to act
as a mediator between the government and the MCB.
Jan. 6:
Visit of the Comite de Sages to Tizi Ouzou. No outcome.
Mar. 9:
The MCB organizes a conference in Tizi Ouzou to evaluate the
perspectives of the boycott movement. A total of 900 representatives
from six provinces and a delegation from the MCA (Aures) attended the
conference.
Apr. 4:
A meeting of the MCB, MCA, Mzab delegation, Ferhat Mehenni's
delegation, Federation of Students' Parents Associations, Coordination
of Amazigh High School Students, and worker unions (SATEF, SPS, UGTA,
UDT) is held to suggest solutions to the crisis. A negotiation platform
is set up and signed by all parties. A delegation of 23 representatives
is designated.
Apr. 9:
The designated delegation meets with President Zeroual. The talks end
in deadlock.
Apr. 15:
Beginning of Amazigh awareness week organized by the MCB as part of
its commemoration of the Amazigh spring to discuss the boycott
issues and to inform the population of the negotiations with the
government.
Apr. 20:
General strike and demonstrations in Kabylia.
Apr. 22:
2nd meeting of the designated delegation with the President. After
several hours of negotiations, an accord was signed between the
President and all parties, except MCB-national commissions and SATEF
which walked out of the negotiations.
May 28:
The HCA is decreed.
June 7:
Official creation of the HCA by the President.
June 11:
First meeting of the HCA and election of its President.
Aug. 12:
The secretary of education launches a three-week training course
for 250 teachers for the pilot Tamazight classes to begin in the fall.
Oct. 14:
Beginning of Tamazight pilot classes in 16 (out of 48) provinces.