Barbacha

Barbacha is a small region containing 34 separate villages in northern Algeria in the region of Kabylie. The population is mainly composed of indigenous Amazigh people and is quite poor, containing few roads and existing in a mountainous area.[1]

Barbacha
Barbacha
Coordinates: 36°34′N 4°58′E
Country	Algeria
Province	Béjaïa
Population  (2012)
• Total	27,000
Time zone	UTC+1 (West Africa Time)

History

Following the 2001 Black Spring in Algeria, residents in the area began to become increasingly hostile towards the government and police. Often engaging in arson attacks against local courts, government offices, political party offices, welfare centres and police stations[2] under the slogan 'You can't kill us, we are already dead!' alongside road blockades and strikes. The police, gendarmerie and military were expelled from the region and Barbacha has since seen very little crime. There is still a functioning city government, making Barbacha a functioning model of dual power. Democratic assemblies modelled off traditional village councils were created as a dual power system and coordinate further protests, garbage collection, fuel distribution, cleaning, welfare programs and maintenance for local schools and public services.[1] The area has been praised by anarchists as a positive development for the community and is noted for its strong sense of anti-authoritarianism.[2]

References

1. Collective, CrimethInc. Ex-Workers. "Other Rojavas: Echoes of the Free Commune of Barbacha". CrimethInc. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
2. Gelderloos, Peter (2010). Anarchy Works.