Amine Kessaci
Amine Kessaci | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2003 (age 21–22) |
| Occupations | Activist, Author, Politician |
| Known for | Anti-drug activism in Marseille Candidate in 2024 French legislative election |
| Notable work | Marseille, essuie tes larmes. Vivre et mourir en terre de narcotrafic (2025) |
Amine Kessaci is a French activist.
Biography
Early life and education
Kessaci was born in Marseille in 2003. He grew up in the Frais-Vallon district.[1]
Activism
In 2020, Kessaci's brother Brahim, then 22-years-old, was murdered by drug gangs. Following the murder, Kessaci began activism against drug gangs and for improving the socio-economic conditions in impoverished French neighbourhoods. He soon became a prominent anti-drugs activist in Marseille.[2][3][4][5][6]
In October 2025, Kessaci published the book Marseille, essuie tes larmes. Vivre et mourir en terre de narcotrafic.[7][8]
Political activity
In June 2024, Kessaci ran as a candidate in the 2024 French legislative election for The Ecologists (part of the New Popular Front alliance) in Bouches-du-Rhône. He finished in second place in the first round of voting with 35,68% of the vote, and finished with 49,07% in the second round, narrowly losing to the National Rally's Gisèle Lelouis.[9]
Murder of Mehdi Kessaci
In November 2025, Kessaci's 20-year-old brother Mehdi was murdered by drug gangs in central Marseille.[10] The murder was widely believed to be an attempt by the drug gangs to intimidate Kessaci and retaliate against his activism.[11] Following the murder, Kessaci pledged that "I won't be quiet. I will speak of the violence of drug trafficking. Its grip. I will speak of the cowardice of those who order the crimes. I will speak of the shortcomings of the state, the flaws of the republic, the abandoned territories, and the obliterated populations."[12]
References
- ^ Hill, Jenny (5 July 2023). "France riots: 'For the politicians we are nothing'". BBC News. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ Bendjebbour, Nebia (15 February 2025). "« Marseille, des larmes au combat » : « Si on ne se sauve pas nous-mêmes, qui d'autre le fera ? »". Le Nouvel Obs. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ Richardot, Robin (16 March 2022). "A Marseille, le combat d'Amine Kessaci, 18 ans, pour rendre plus vivables les cités". Le Monde. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ Vinceneux, Mathilde (10 September 2021). ""S'ils veulent quitter ces trafics, c'est soit la prison soit le cimetière" : à Marseille, le combat d'Amine". FranceInter. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ "Amine fondateur de son association Conscience à tout juste 17 ans". Mouv. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ Ruscio, Lola (8 October 2022). "Amine Kessassi, à 18 ans, sur tous les fronts pour les quartiers nord". L'Humanité. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ Labroux Satabin, Yoann (19 November 2025). ""Marseille, essuie tes larmes", le livre choc d'Amine Kessaci contre le narcotrafic, saisi par un effroyable écho". Télérama. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ Laïreche, Rachid (2 October 2025). "Amine Kessaci : «Je me bats pour mon frère et tous ceux qui tombent dans l'engrenage du narcotrafic»". Libération. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ Alami, Aida (25 August 2024). "In France, Amine Kessaci Strives to Empower Multicultural Areas". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ Schofield, Hugh (19 November 2025). "I won't be silenced, says French anti-drugs activist after murders of two brothers". BBC News. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ "The assassination of Mehdi Kessaci, a political crime". Le Monde. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ Turle, Philip (19 November 2025). "French anti-drugs activist vows to continue after murder of brother in Marseille". France24. Retrieved 19 November 2025.