A decisive turning point in the course of the revolution
Algeria – The demonstrations of December 11, 1960 marked a decisive turning point in the War of National Liberation in the sense that the Algerian people unreservedly rejected any option other than full Algerian independence. and contributed to the internationalization and media coverage of the Algerian issue.
On December 11, 1960, tens of thousands of Algerians demonstrated in Algiers and other cities across the country, raising the national flag to express their unrelenting opposition to the colonial policy of making Algeria an integral part of France.
Through these demonstrations, which began in the capital’s famous districts of Belouizdad (formerly Belcourt), El Madania (formerly Salembier) and Bab El Oued, the Algerian people intended to express their unwavering support for the Revolution. Affiliated to the National Liberation Front (FLN) and the National Liberation Army (ALN).
Algerians demonstrated peacefully that day to reaffirm the principle of self-determination, while General Charles de Gaulle visited Algeria in vain to save the “French Algeria” thesis. the so-called “third way” plan, in short, fictitious independence within the framework of Algeria remaining under French rule.
From an organizational point of view, these mass demonstrations were a solid proof of the power of the Revolution and an indication of the imminent end of colonialism.
At the diplomatic and media level, these demonstrations strengthened the position of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Algeria (GPRA) as the legitimate representative of the Algerian people in the upcoming independence negotiations, with international repercussions.
They were assimilated by observers into the “referendum” in favor of independence, which immediately affected the Revolution at the international level and isolated France on the international stage.
Indeed, on the occasion of the 15th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), the resolution recognizing the right to self-determination and independence of the Algerian people and the necessity of Algerian negotiations -France, on the basis of the territorial integrity of Algeria, in order to find a peaceful solution, December 20, 1960- has also been accepted.
The President of the Republic, Mr. Abdulmajid Tebbun, confirmed in his address on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the beginning of the glorious liberation revolution on November 1, 1954, that “despite the mobilization of the machine of repression and persecution, against colonial France and the frenzy of mass destruction with the scorched earth policy, the revolutionaries of free Algeria seven resisted a brutal and disproportionate war for more than a year, thus defying predictions that the Glorious Liberation Revolution would end.
He emphasized that this Revolution “became an example of sacrifice and self-sacrifice in the service of the values of freedom and dignity, thanks to its epic resistance and determination to achieve a brilliant victory (…)”.
President Tebbune affirmed that “for the freedom, independence and unity for which Chouhada and the Mujahideen sacrificed themselves, the progress and growth of Algeria is not a simple wish” and that now “represents our strategic goal around us” everyone is mobilized in the new Algeria with an unshakable faith in the nation’s capabilities and great potential “.
The President of the Republic reaffirmed his determination to involve Algeria “in the path of economic recovery and sustainable development” in the entire national territory in order to “restore its place in regional and international forums and therefore fulfill its main role in economic development.” in the region and around the world”.
