Meeting in a historic city where the Amazigh World Congress was founded in 1997, delegates from across Tamazgha and the diaspora elected a new governing body, denounced visa obstruction, and reaffirmed their resistance to institutional pressure.
CMA General Assembly • Agáldar, 26 April 2026
AGÁLDAR — The Amazigh World Congress (CMA) concluded its 9th Congress on Saturday in Agáldar, the Gran Canaria city that served as the symbolic birthplace of the organization’s founding gathering in 1997. Held under the twin banners of resistance and unity, the congress brought together representatives from Amazigh organizations and communities across Tamazgha and the diaspora in a show of solidarity that organizers described as a direct response to years of sustained pressure against the movement.
The choice of Agáldar was deliberate. April, the month of the congress, carries deep meaning in collective Amazigh memory: it marks the 46th anniversary of the Amazigh Spring of 1980, and the 25th anniversary of the Black Spring of 2001 — two watershed moments that, in the words of the assembly, “mark our historic refusal to alienate and remind us of the price paid for the recognition of our identity.” Congress paid solemn tribute to all those who lost their lives in the Amazigh cause, calling their sacrifice “the cornerstone of our resolve today.”
Years of Pressure, an Organization Standing Tall
Delegates acknowledged that the CMA has navigated some of the most turbulent years in its history. Two threats were cited explicitly: the arrest and arbitrary imprisonment of co-president Kamira Nait Sid, and a campaign of manipulation and disinformation attributed to former Secretary General Belkacem Lounes, which organizers said was designed to divide the movement and undermine its credibility.
Despite these pressures, the assembly struck a confident tone. “The CMA is standing tall and more determined than ever,” the congressmen declared in their closing statement, framing the difficulties as evidence of the organization’s relevance rather than its vulnerability.
Visa Obstruction Denounced
A significant shadow over the proceedings was cast by the forced absence of several delegates and stakeholders, who were unable to attend in person after consular authorities refused or delayed the issuance of travel visas. The congress condemned the move in strong terms, describing it as a violation of the freedom of movement of Amazigh activists and calling it a form of political obstruction.
Despite this, many affected participants took part remotely, and the General Assembly proceeded to complete its statutory work, including the presentation and approval of moral and financial reports and a review of the organization’s statutes.
The CMA also extended its gratitude to the AZAR Association of the Canary Islands for its indispensable role in hosting and organizing the congress, crediting the association’s support as a key factor in the event’s success.
New Governing Bodies Elected
Following deliberations, the General Assembly appointed a renewed World Office (Bureau Mondial) and Federal Council to lead the CMA into its next chapter. The new World Office is composed as follows:
Task Force Appointments
The World Office also designated a Task Force responsible for coordination with Amazigh civil society movements across the region:
With new leadership in place and the congress formally closed, the CMA reaffirmed its founding mission: to unite Amazigh communities across Tamazgha and the diaspora in the pursuit of cultural recognition, political rights, and human dignity. As the assembly declared in closing: “Long live the Tamazgha.”