Algeria commemorated on Friday the 71st anniversary of the outbreak of its historic war of independence against French colonial rule with a grand military parade in the capital, Algiers.

Military jets streaked across the skies above the Bay of Algiers, leaving white trails against the blue horizon as columns of soldiers, veterans, and youth organizations marched proudly past the Djamaa el-Djazair, the city’s monumental mosque. Thousands of Algerians filled the streets, waving national flags and chanting slogans honoring the martyrs of the revolution.

The commemoration marked November 1, 1954, the day the National Liberation Front (FLN) launched coordinated attacks on colonial installations, igniting an eight-year struggle that would ultimately end 132 years of French occupation. The war — characterized by brutal repression, mass arrests, and widespread torture by French forces — remains one of the bloodiest anti-colonial uprisings of the 20th century.

While French sources put the death toll at around 500,000, Algerian historians estimate 1.5 million martyrs, the vast majority of them civilians. The conflict culminated in the signing of the Evian Accords on March 18, 1962, which paved the way for full independence on July 5, 1962.

Tebboune: “Algeria Continues to Triumph Over Colonialism in All Its Forms”

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, addressing the nation during the ceremony, hailed the anniversary as a moment of reflection and renewal.

“This anniversary is not merely a remembrance of the past,” he said. “It is an opportunity to remind everyone that Algeria, which triumphed over colonialism yesterday, continues to achieve victories with confidence — defending its sovereignty, independence, and dignity in a changing world.”

The president’s remarks carried a clear message amid rising tensions with France, whose leadership has repeatedly clashed with Algiers over historical memory, migration, and regional policy. Algeria, Tebboune stressed, remains steadfast in protecting its revolutionary legacy from distortion or political manipulation.

Regional Leaders and Freedom Movements Attend

The event drew high-level participation from across North Africa and the Sahel. Dignitaries included Tunisian President Kais Saied, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, and Mohammed al-Menfi, head of Libya’s Presidential Council.

Also in attendance was Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front, which continues to fight for the independence of Western Sahara from Moroccan occupation. His presence underscored Algeria’s enduring solidarity with liberation movements across the region.

Notably, Morocco, which severed diplomatic ties with Algeria in 2021 after normalizing relations with the Zionist entity, was absent from the ceremony.

A Nation of Resistance and Renewal

Following the national anthem and prayers for the martyrs, President Tebboune laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument, a towering landmark honoring those who fell in the liberation struggle. Accompanied by Army Chief of Staff General Saïd Chengriha, Tebboune later reviewed the parade in an open-top military vehicle as a 70-gun salute echoed through the capital.

Algeria’s People’s National Army (ANP) — one of Africa’s most powerful and respected forces — showcased its modern arsenal, much of it domestically upgraded or supplied through long-standing defense partnerships with Russia and other allied states.

The country’s defense budget, doubled in 2023 to $22 billion, will reportedly rise to $25 billion in 2025, as Algeria continues to modernize its forces to defend national sovereignty and regional stability.

Legacy of the Revolution

The Algerian War of Independence (1954–1962) remains a symbol of resilience and sacrifice not only for Algeria but for oppressed peoples worldwide. French colonial forces employed brutal tactics, including scorched-earth operations, torture, and the internment of hundreds of thousands of Algerians. Yet despite overwhelming odds, the FLN’s guerrilla fighters — supported by a nationwide civilian resistance — forced one of the world’s most powerful empires to retreat.

The victory inspired anti-colonial movements across Africa and Asia, making Algeria a beacon of liberation and solidarity. Algiers would later host dozens of revolutionary movements, from the ANC of South Africa to the PLO of Palestine, earning its title as the “Mecca of Revolutionaries.”

From Past Struggle to Present Strength

Today, as Algeria celebrates seven decades since the first shots of its revolution, the spirit of resistance remains central to its identity. The country continues to champion non-alignment, sovereignty, and solidarity with oppressed nations, particularly the Palestinian cause.

The anniversary served not only as a tribute to Algeria’s heroic past but also as a declaration of its unwavering independence in shaping its future — free from external domination, proud of its martyrs, and confident in its destiny. (ILKHA)