Publication

This report reviews the background and consequences of the so-called Black Spring in the Algerian city of Kabylia, which reflect the country’s failure to adopt reforms that address the deficit of democratic representation. The paper distinguishes the Kabylia-issue from other regional conflicts and summarizes its development since 1980. Subsequently, the paper outlines the developments of the Black Spring and addresses a subsequent political phenomenon known as "coordinations." The paper argues that the unrest has produced no significant gains for democracy, rule of law and effective political representation.