Introduction. Berber- Amazigh Movements in North Africa: Identity, New Issues and New challenges.

The popular uprisings, which began in 2011 with the events of Tunisia and spread to Egypt, Morocco, Libya, and beyond, caused spectacular regime changes. Most rebellions, generated by their participants’ hopes of restoring the potential for democracy in the Arab world, with people calling for dignity, democracy, and social justice, have however not lead to democracy in any shape or form, at least for the foreseeable future. The history of the North African countries of Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya since independence connotes them as Arab countries. The policy followed in those countries was the same: Islam was proclaimed state religion and Arabic was made the official language, with a constitution that legitimized both. In addition, the Arabizing policies imposed a linguistic and cultural uniformity which rejected the plurality of languages and cultures in the domestic and private space. The Arabizing policies that these countries adopted over time have thus affected several areas, from the choice of street names to the level of institutions, administration, and schooling. The events of the Arab Spring include an important Berber/Amazigh dimension and the Berber-Amazigh question is becoming a significant political issue. Following the Arab Spring, the objectives of the movement have raised the profile of the issue of Berber identity. The Berber-Amazigh identity project is entering a new era, one that poses new opportunities and also new challenges, particularly in the face of influential Islamist movements.