Belkacem Lounes (in Tifinagh: ⴱⴻⵍⴿⴰⵚⴻⵎ ⵍⵓⵏⴻⵙ; born 6 February 1955) is an Algerian Kabyle indigenous politician, economist and activist who was President of the World Amazigh Congress (also known as the CMA) during 2002 and 2011.
He has been critical of Libya's dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi for belittling the Berber people and culture.
[2] On May 3, 2007, wrote an open letter to Libyan leader Mu'ammar Qaddafi in response to the latter's March 1 speech in which he denied the existence of a Berber or Amazigh people in North Africa.
In his letter, dated April 10, Lounes protested Qaddafi's statements, saying that the 30 million Amazigh living today in North Africa cannot be ignored.
Lounes stated that it was archaic to consider diversity a danger, and calls on the North African governments to commit to democracy and human rights.