Algeria- The Dual August Uprisings: How August 20, 1955, and August 20, 1956, Shook the Foundations of Colonialism

✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | August 20th, 2024 —  August 20, 1955, and August 20, 1956, will forever remain etched in Algeria’s revolutionary history as dates that reshaped the trajectory of the nation’s fight for independence. These two moments represented critical junctures in the anti-colonial struggle, intensifying resistance efforts and consolidating revolutionary leadership under a coherent, national strategy. Together, they reinforced the resolve of a nation determined to break free from colonial oppression.

The watershed moment of August 20, 1956, in particular, following the groundwork laid by the 1955 uprising, stands as a decisive historical landmark, second only to the outbreak of the revolution on November 1, 1954. The late Moudjahid Djoudi Attoumi, a revolutionary and historian who dedicated much of his life to chronicling Algeria’s fight for freedom, once posed a rhetorical question during a radio broadcast: “Can one imagine the Algerian Revolution without the Soummam Congress?” His conviction was clear—the Congress held on that date in 1956 was an essential cornerstone of the independence movement.

The Soummam Congress: Strategic Brilliance Amidst Adversity

The Soummam Congress, held in the remote village of Ifri within the Aouzellaguen commune, was a strategic tour de force and an audacious display of revolutionary resolve. Djoudi Attoumi, a native of Sidi Aich and a former officer in the National Liberation Army (ALN), vividly documented this historic event, recalling the risks and complexities involved. At only 18, Attoumi had joined the maquis and served directly under Colonel Amirouche, the fearsome commander of Wilaya III, whose forces ensured the security of the congress.

The necessity of organizing a gathering of revolutionary leaders on Algerian soil was paramount, a decision driven by the imperatives of assessing the progress made, coordinating efforts within the maquis, and outlining the future course of the independence movement. Despite being surrounded by colonial forces and local collaborators, the leadership demonstrated unparalleled audacity in convening such a critical meeting. As Attoumi observed, the congress solidified the structural and strategic foundation upon which the revolution would build its momentum.

Originally, the congress was to take place in Kalaa Ath Abbas, but a fateful encounter with French forces led to a change of plans. A mule carrying crucial preparatory documents was lost during an ambush, leading the ALN leaders, including Ouamrane, Krim Belkacem, Saddek Dehilès, and Saïd Mohammedi, to shift the location to Ifri. Despite the loss, the colonial authorities were unable to exploit their temporary advantage, and the congress proceeded without a hitch.

Abane Ramdane, a key architect of the congress, famously remarked, “You’d have to be mad to organize a congress here,” underscoring the enormity of the risk. Yet, the meticulous planning and the unwavering loyalty of the local population enabled the congress to take place, right under the noses of the French military. Colonel Amirouche’s katibas secured the perimeter, but even more critical was the trust placed in the local populace, who remained steadfastly loyal to the revolutionary cause.

Shaping the Future of the Revolution and the Birth of the Algerian State

The Soummam Congress not only represented a triumph over immense logistical and security challenges but also marked a turning point in the formal organization of the revolution. Convening in secrecy, the congress gathered nearly 3,000 revolutionaries who mapped out the future of the independence struggle, establishing the political and military structures that would guide the war effort.

While the congress eventually came to the attention of the colonial authorities, their response came too late. The French military, seeking to exact retribution, unleashed a brutal campaign of retaliation, bombing villages, torturing civilians, and massacring entire communities. The villages surrounding Aouzellaguen were razed, their inhabitants either killed or relocated to concentration camps. Fourteen villages were declared “forbidden zones,” a stark reminder of the ruthless violence of colonial repression.

However, despite the onslaught, the congress left an indelible mark on the revolution. It formalized the nascent structures of the Algerian state and intensified the conflict, prompting France to deploy ever-greater numbers of troops. Within a short time, the colonial force would swell to nearly half a million soldiers, but the momentum of the revolution had become unstoppable. Algeria’s liberation from colonial rule was no longer a distant hope—it had become an inevitable reality.

The Soummam Congress laid the blueprint for both the revolutionary struggle and the future Algerian state, embodying the determination of the Algerian people to forge their destiny, even amidst overwhelming odds. As the revolution escalated in both scale and intensity, these dual August uprisings demonstrated that the colonial system was on borrowed time.

In the end, the events of August 20, 1955, and August 20, 1956, served as critical catalysts that reshaped the landscape of the Algerian war for independence and set the stage for the birth of a free and sovereign nation.

Translated with adaptation from: 

https://www.horizons.dz/?p=153200

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