The Algerian Embassy in Manama Celebrates the 68th anniversary of Mujahid Day(1955-1956-2024) Loyalty, construction, and continuity

Introduction

The Mujahid Day in Algeria refers to a double anniversary, that of the attacks of August 20, 1955, in the Algerian north-Constantine area and the holding of theSoumam Conference on August 20, 1956. These two events were the most pivotal ones after the outbreak of the glorious Algerian Revolution especially in terms of their significant effects on the national liberationthe path, which reflected the Algerian people’s militant genius, manifested in its wisdom and greatness. The leaders of his Revolution led this path towards the ultimate goal of expelling colonialism and restoring Algerian hitherto spoiled sovereignty by force.

North Constantine attacks, August 20, 1955

The attacks of August 20, 1955 were a great event whose wonders will hardly fade away, and the more we delve into it, the more we discover new things that reflect the genius of its creators and their far-reaching strategic vision.

Shortly after the outbreak of our victorious Revolution on November 1, 1954, colonial leaders declared that “Algeria will remain French forever.” Their media machine also avoided calling what was happening there a war and presented it as “a mere law enforcement operations” on those it described as outlaws. This media blackout was accompanied by a fierce repressive campaign against the leaders and activists of the National Movement. Prisons were filled with them, since the vast majority of them had joined the Revolution and formed strong and effective elements within its structure thanks to their long experience of political struggle. At the beginning of 1955, colonialism began working to undermine the unity of the people and their revolution by creating a third way represented by a reconciliation between the French and Algerian Muslim elements in Algeria, leading to complete harmony and coexistence between them under the banner of a so-called comprehensive French sovereignty. Isolating independence advocates and freedom fighters from their vital environment was an extremely dangerous project for which colonial France recruited some elements of the frenchized Algerian elite and supported it with some crumbs of reform programs with a social dimension, such as providing some health and educational services. This program entered into force under the supervision and watchdoggingof specialized colonial psychological warfare experts.

With the increasing intensity of revolutionary activitiesin Algeria, Soustelle declared a state of emergency first in in the Auresin April 1955, the Tebessa sector, and the Kabyliaregion, that was to be generalized to the whole Algeria. The Revolution increased in intensity, and its diplomacy moved to mobilize the support of free people in the world, especially during the Bandung Conference, which was an introduction to the internationalization of the Algerian problem. Colonialism mobilized its military buildup and brought its vanguard units from Indochina, especially foreign paratrooper regiments and divisions of various weapons, and directed them towards the Constantine region. It also recalled his reserve forces from France, raised the level of repression, and tightened the noose around the First Historical Waliya (The Aures-Nemencha) theepicenter of the Revolution. It had already evacuated the villages and towns and gathered the population into large detention centers for the purpose of separating the Revolution from its popular Matrix and depriving it of its support.

In the meantime, the colonialist leadership worked on the emergence of a third force consisting of what was called at the time “the Men of Good Will” (HBV). This seditious clique grewin number with French intelligence-services-supervised European intellectuals and politicians as well as with some elite elements among Algerian Muslims, most of whom came from some wealthy families and from some “utterly frenchized sick-hearted pseudo-intellectuals”. The HBV were entrusted with the operationalization of the concept of “French brotherhood under the universal French identity.” Their hocus-pocus assertions revolved around keeping Algeria under French sovereignty in exchange for some crumbs of reform to buy off the Algerians. It, therefore,became necessary for the Revolution to act decisively, cut off these corrupt seducers, and thwart their treacherous plans.

Indeed, the leadership of the Revolution in northern Constantine, led by the late Zighout Youssef, may God rest his soul, decided to launch comprehensive general attacks involving the Algerian masses, framed by elements of the Liberation Army, and targeting all colonial institutions, including barracks, security centers, and settlements, without exception, and with all the capabilities the Revolution possessed. In fact, on August 20, the masses erupted into northern Constantine zone like an overwhelming torrent and swept away all the colonial military and settlement centers they found in front of them. The leadership of the Revolution was fully aware that the colonialist's reaction would reach the height of barbarism, but it was also aware that this level of oppression and brutality would increase the Algerians' determination to snatch their freedom.

From all regions, huge crowds of French armies arrived in the region and began systematic killing operations without distinction between young or old, military or civilian, and thousands fell as martyrs. All French soldiers and settlers participated in the massacre, leaving the bodies of the martyrs piled up in the streets to the point that French forces resorted to using big bulldozers to lift them, transport them, and bury them in deep collective pits. Every Algerian found on the road became a direct target for the bullets and knives of French soldiers.

However, every cloud has a silver lining. When the Algerians in these areas realized that today they had no protection from the occupier’s bullets except the mountains as shelter, they rushed to them individually and in groups. But in the mountains, they found weapons and ammunition, which they eagerly used to fight the forces of the colonial enemy. The mountains were filled with new Mujahideen, the pressure on the First Wilaya eased, and the siege imposed on it broke down. It was not long before the integration project and its central concept of “Franco-Algerian brotherhood within the framework of a comprehensive French identity” that Soustelle preached collapsed. With the failure of the latter, his mission was ended and he fell, along with his godfather, Mendes-France. Defeated, Soustelle returned to Pariswith his tails between his legs.

A new phase has begun in which the firesof theRevolution has become more intense and the armed struggle more ferocious. The first signs of emancipation have begun to appear, and the epics of jihad in Algeria will continue until the advent of the promised day.

The Soumam Conference, August 20, 1956

The holding of the Soumam Conference represented a qualitative shift in the armed action undertaken by the people of Algeria to gain their freedom. This conference enabled the organization of armed action politically and militarily and served as a strong response to the nonsense allegations that the Algerian Revolution is unable to lay down the foundations for the emergence of a modern Algerian state. In fact, it made it possible to create a solid ground on which the Algerian State would be restored and built again, thanks to the set of key decisions with a deep strategic dimensionit took. The conference enabled the creation of a General Staff Command for all the historical fighting Wilayas, reuniting them, and increasing the unity of the soldiers and leaders of the Liberation Army. Thanks to the Soumam Conference and its fallouts, the Algerian Republic Interim Government came to light. The latter was the one which negotiated with the French authorities and forced them to bend to the will of the Algerian people for independence and freedom.

These are just some tips about two great key events that certainly capturedescribe in detail the heroism and sacrifices of a people that are unparalleled in human history. Today, the double commemoration of these events by New Algeria, by its people, its State and its leadership, confirms its loyalty to the message and sacrifices of its martyrs and to the just humanitarian principles that underpin its state. It builds on theirachievements and continues to follow eternally their path. Loyalty, construction, and continuity.

May Algeria forever remain an impregnable fortress of freedom and sovereignty.

The Ambassador Dr. Mahmoud Braham