Despite being a Berber, Lt Gen Ahmed Gaid Salah did not support the community's movement In fact, he did the opposite. ReutersIntriguing perhaps is the fact that some Amazigh who were part of the country's power structure looked down on their own people's struggle. Their crime was merely to wave the Amazigh flag bearing a red emblem known as the Yaz, which symbolises "free man". The Berber flag has caused controversy in Algeria's political context with protesters getting arrested for being spotted with them. This was a major victory for the Amazigh – as was the recognition two years ago of the Amazigh New Year, usually celebrated in mid-January, as a public holiday.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 16, 2020 13:30 UTC