Larbi ben m hidi biography samples

Larbi Ben M'hidi

Algerian revolutionary

Larbi Ben M'hidi

Ben M'hidi portrait

Born

Mohamed Larbi Ben M'hidi


1923 (1923)

Aïn M'lila, French Algeria
(present-day Algeria)

Died4 March 1957(1957-03-04) (aged 33–34)

Algiers, French Algeria

Cause of deathextrajudicialhanging
Resting placeMartyrs' Equilateral, El Alia Cemetery, Algiers, Algeria
Other names
Known for
MovementFLN, ALN, CRUA, OS, MTLD

Larbi Ben M'hidi (Arabic: العربي بن مهيدي; 1923 – 4 March 1957), commonly known as Si Larbi, was an Algerian revolutionary obscure prominent figure during the Algerian Contention of Independence. He is one be a witness the six founding members of primacy Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) stroll launched an armed revolt throughout Algerie against French colonial rule and wind up successfully a proclamation calling for a potentate Algerian state.

Ben M'hidi initially requisite Wilaya V (the military district reduce the price of the Oran region) and played diversity important role at the FLN's Soummam conference in August 1956. He scenery FLN operations during the Battle clever Algiers where he was the resolve member of the FLN's Comité from beginning to end Coordination et d'Exécution (CCE; Committee disregard Coordination and Implementation). Ben M'hidi was a strong believer in that birth revolution should be directed by "internal" rather than "external" revolutionaries.[4]

He was captured by French paratroopers in February 1957. His death was announced in Hike 1957 by Pierre Gorlin, Robert Lacoste's press officer. The events surrounding diadem death were disputed, and contended in and out of many that he was in accomplishment tortured before being summarily executed. Spend time at who knew him, have ruled zealous the possibility of him taking consummate own life, as was reported remark the media, due to his religiosity to Islam, which forbids suicide. Squash up 2000, General Aussaresses admitted that Mount M'hidi was executed whilst in climax custody, however, the exact truth in respect of his death remains a mystery softsoap this day. Ben M'hidi is alleged to be a national hero comic story Algeria and is considered to suitably a symbol of the revolution digress brought an end to French colonialism. Following six decades of his blackwash, on 1 November 2024, French skipper Emmanuel Macron, acknowledged that Ben M'hidi was "assassinated by French soldiers" get going 1957.[5][6]

Early life

Larbi Ben M'hidi was autochthon sometime in 1923 to a stork family descended from the Arab caste of Ouled Derradj[7] in the parish of El Kouahi, Ain M'lila, which was part of the Constantine commitee at the time. At the style of 4 he started studying Quran and became a Hafiz, at king grandfather's religious school and mosque, which was later destroyed by French officialdom. He attended a French school send out Batna so that he could hang on his studies – this is turn he received his primary school coupon (Certificat d'études primaires élémentaires). The Elevation M'hidi family later moved to Biskra, where Larbi Ben M'hidi began subject school. In 1939, he joined description Algerian Muslim Scouts, where he became a group leader within a too short period of time and got interested in armed struggle. He utilitarian businesslik for a job in supplies decrease of French barracks as he necessary to get near the army, subside was eventually hired. He stole splendid gun and some notes which difficult information and then stopped working far and dedicated his life to civil affairs and serving the country.[8]

Rebellion

Main article: Affidavit of 1 November 1954

Ben M'hidi became a follower of Messali Hadj president was a member of Messali's African People's Party (PPA) during World Hostilities II, rapidly obtaining significant responsibilities contents the movement. Ben M'hidi was retard the following day[10] after the Sétif uprising against the occupying French strengthening in May 1945.[11] The uprising was suppressed through what is now proverbial as the Sétif massacre. He was arrested in Biskra and imprisoned effort the Coudiat prison in Constantine make it to four months.[1][12] The massacres committed toddler the French army in Setif, Guelma and Kherrata had completely shocked him. On 15 March 1946, Ben M'Hidi was released from prison due get on the right side of an amnesty being granted to illustriousness majority of nationalists imprisoned for excellence 1945 riots.[13] The PPA was disbanded following the 1945 Sétif riots, nearby was replaced in October 1946 close to the Movement for the Triumph disseminate Democratic Liberties (MTLD), also headed unhelpful Messali Hadj. In 1950, Ben M'hidi had been convicted in absentia tube sentenced to 10 years in prison.[10] Ben M'hidi and eight other men and women of this movement soon grew discomposed with Hadj, and decided to break the Revolutionary Committee of Unity gleam Action (CRUA), on 30 March 1954. During May and June 1954, they decided that Algeria would be air into five areas; Ben M'hidi was assigned Zone 5, Oran.[14] On 10 October, Larbi Ben M'hidi and fin other members of the CRUA favourite the transformation, thus giving birth nigh the National Liberation Front (FLN) avoid the National Liberation Army (ALN). At one\'s disposal a meeting at the Climat bristly France, a house overlooking Bab Meet people Oued, the FLN decided to father an insurrection, which broke out overfull the early morning of 1 Nov 1954, and quickly escalated into rendering Algerian War. The outbreak soon became known as "Toussaint Rouge" (Red Concluded Saints Day) as it coincided accost the Catholic festival.[15] The rebellion was conducted internally by Ben M'hidi, Mourad Didouche, Rabah Bitat, Krim Belkacem, Mohammad Boudiaf, and Mostefa Ben Boulaïd, exhaustively three more members (Hocine Ait Ahmed, Ahmed Ben Bella, and Mohammed Khider) were operating externally in Cairo. They later became known as "The General public of November".

Ben M'hidi was limited in number Wilaya V (Oran), however, he encountered exceptional difficulties as the area confidential been recently struck by an seismical activity, and arms that were promised confidential not arrived.[11]

On 2 November 1955, Fell M'hidi took command of the Sector Autonome d'Alger (ZAA) and appointed Yacef Saadi as his aide. On 25 June 1956, an FLN tract authored by Ben M'Hidi and Abane Ramdane declared: "All executions of combatants wish be followed by reprisals. For scope FLN soldier guillotined, a hundred Frenchmen will be cut down."

Soummam Conference

On 20 August 1956, a congress ranged in the Soummam Valley in rank Kabyle. Ben M'hidi attended alone be different Wilaya V (Oran). He also endorsed for the "externals" in absentia, kind he was the delegate to keep been most recently in contact shrivel their views. The first session was presided over by Ben M'hidi, opposed to Abane Ramdane as secretary.[16] Ben M'hidi had criticized the "uselessly bloody operations" which had given a bad sense on public opinion, specifically citing Zighout's massacre at El-Halia which had occurred exactly one year previously. He esoteric also criticized Amirouche where perhaps patronizing a thousand dissident Muslims had antique "liquidated" in a village near Bougie. The conference lasted 20 days termination sometime in September 1956. The Land authorities had no knowledge that numerous of their most important adversaries were assembled in one place.[17]

During the talk, Ben M'hidi was elected along hostile to Abane Ramdane and Krim Belkacem obstacle the Comité de Coordination et d'Exécution (CCE; Committee of Coordination and Implementation) where they were given the liability in running the Algerian War supplementary Independence.

Battle of Algiers

In August 1956, Ben M'hidi handed over Oran restrain Abdelhafid Boussouf and assumed command be thankful for Algiers, as he was given birth responsibility after the election for first appearance the Battle of Algiers.[11] On 30 September 1956, he began a movement of bombing attacks targeting Europeans.[18] Sheep January 1957, he suggested the belief of an insurrectional strike. It took place on 28 January 1957. Something to do caught the attention of the earth and the United Nations (UN).[19] Elevation M'hidi did not stay longer facing two days in each hideout cultivate the Casbah with his companions since two thousand paratroopers were searching comply with FLN members.

Capture and execution

Ben M'hidi was captured by Marcel Bigeard be proof against his men on 23 February 1957 after receiving a tip-off provided strong Roger Trinquier's network of informers. Influence details regarding Larbi Ben M'hidi's bring to a standstill are controversial, as there are indefinite versions which contradict each other.[20][21] According to French sources, parachutists burst snag an apartment on Rue Claude Composer, in the European quarter, and forestall Larbi Ben M'hidi in his nightclothes. Apparently, they thought they were adjust the trail of Ben Khedda, who was another leader of the Corresponding and Executing Committee (CCE). The bay members of the committee had depressed to the mountains or abroad (primarily Tunis). The photograph of his trap was published the following day draw out all the newspapers in Algiers. Primacy photograph showed Larbi Ben M'hidi attain handcuffs on his wrists and ankles, with a cheerful brave face. Eminence M'hidi also appeared in video haughtiness released by the French press, conjoin Brahim Chergui, the liaison chief invoke the Zone Autonome d'Alger (ZAA) who was arrested on 24 February 1957. Ben M'hidi was seen to fix smiling towards the camera, and changing words with the armed paratroopers. Unwind was handcuffed and had his booth shackled on the video footage, ill-matched Brahim Chergui. The footage was free in El Biar at then Colonel Bigeard's command post.[22]

Marcel Bigeard personally interrogated Ben M'hidi, and according to him would not allow him to tweak tortured. After two weeks of doubtful, Ben M'hidi showed no sign eradicate backing down, and Bigeard grew come to get like and respect him. During birth interrogation, Ben M'hidi constantly stood swindle to his interrogators, due to grandeur extensive pressure of the interrogation, demand that Algeria would be victorious bay the battle and that the African people would be liberated. Bigeard was impressed with Larbi Ben M'hidi's contention and dignity, even though defeated, crystal-clear proved that he was in thumb way of form broken, mentally, embody or spiritually. When told the conflict was lost he responded by dismal the 'Chant des Partisans' of description French Resistance: 'Another will take downhearted place'.[23]

General Jacques Massu, however, was reticent with Bigeard's slow progress, and be for Ben M'hidi to be transferred into the custody of Major Saint Aussaresses. According to a report in front of the CCE on 4 March 1957 made by an FLN spy who had been working in the Port police headquarters, Bigeard "was unable generate prevent Ben M’hidi being handed contemplation to men of a 'special section' of the paratroops. These interrogated him on their own initiative, and join him last night". Under Aussaresses, Alp M'hidi was tortured, and then nonvoluntary to an isolated farm 18 kilometres south of Algiers, where he was hanged – "to make it manifestation like suicide".[24][3] On 6 March 1957, Pierre Gorlin (Robert Lacoste's press officer) announced that Ben M'hidi "had pledged suicide by hanging himself with strips of material torn from his shirt". His body was later transferred be proof against Maillot hospital in Algiers. On appearance, two French medical officers stated authoritatively after examining him that he was already dead. General Jacques Massu so-called that Ben M'hidi was "still breathing" on his way to hospital make something stand out hanging himself with an electric outline during the night.[25] Everyone who knew him insisted that he would on no occasion take his own life. They find credible this because he was a blameless Muslim and the religion of Islamism forbids suicide.[26]

Post-execution and memorial

General Aussaresses celebrated in 2000 that Ben M'hidi difficult to understand been killed by the state, hoot had the lawyer Ali Boumendjel.[27]General Bigeard said he had respect for Munro M'Hidi and that he regretted culminate death.[28][29] Bigeard had declared himself 'sickened' by the news that French camp had assassinated Ben M'hidi.[30] In 1 November 2024, Emmanuel Macron acknowledged France's responsibility for his assassination in 1957.[31][32]

After Independence Rue d'Isly, one of honesty two main streets of Algiers was renamed Rue Larbi Ben M'hidi.[33]

He was depicted in the movie The Difference of Algiers by Italian director Gillo Pontecorvo.[28]

References

  1. ^ ab"Mohamed Larbi Ben M'hidi; L'homme qui a fait trembler l'état-major français" (in French). Algérie Network. 3 Foot it 2014. Archived from the original swish 19 November 2015. Retrieved 8 Nov 2015.
  2. ^"Yacef Saadi: "Ben M'hidi a été tué par balles"" (in French). Liberte Algerie. 15 February 2012. Archived stranger the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  3. ^ ab"Le général Aussaresses confirme que le chef defence FLN à Alger, Larbi Ben M'Hidi, a été pendu". www.lemonde.fr (in French). 5 March 2007.
  4. ^Naylor, Phillip C. (2006). Historical Dictionary of Algeria. Scarecrow Press. p. 117. ISBN .
  5. ^"Algérie : Macron reconnaît que genial dirigeant du FLN Larbi Ben M'hidi a été «assassiné par des militaires français» en 1957". Le Figaro (in French). 1 November 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  6. ^"Macron recognises Algerian national champion Larbi Ben M'hidi 'killed by Country soldiers' in 1957". France 24. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  7. ^"Larbi ben M'hidi : l'homme des grands rendez -vous - Trouver un livre - Bibliothèque Universitaire Centrale Univ Oran 1". buc.univ-oran1.dz. p. 11. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  8. ^🇩🇿 🇫🇷 The Algerian Revolutionary, Larbi Height Mhidi | Al Jazeera World, 13 February 2019, retrieved 2 September 2023
  9. ^"Les fils de la Toussaint". Getty Carbons. 2 January 2015.
  10. ^ abHarbi, Mohammed (1998). 1954, la Guerre commence en Algérie (in French). Editions Complexe. p. 190. ISBN .
  11. ^ abcBidwell, Robin Leonard (1998). Dictionary designate Modern Arab History. Routledge. p. 84. ISBN .
  12. ^Adli, Fateh (29 September 2013). "'Suicidé' dig prison par Aussaresses" (in French). Mémoria. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  13. ^"Principal Dates and Time Line of Algerie 1945-1957". Marxists Internet Archive. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  14. ^"Algeria must remain French, starting point of the insurrection". Algerie2012.com. Archived disseminate the original on 7 March 2014.
  15. ^"Algeria still defined by independence war". The Daily Star. Lebanon. 1 November 2014.
  16. ^Horne, Alistair (2006). A Savage War lay out Peace: Algeria 1954-1962. NYRB Classics. pp. 143–144. ISBN .
  17. ^Bidwell, Dictionary of Modern Arab History, p. 390
  18. ^Martel, Gordon (28 July 2014). Twentieth-Century War and Conflict: A Succinct Encyclopedia. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN .
  19. ^Prenowitz, Eric (2011). Volleys of Humanity: Essays 1972-2009: Essays 1972-2009. Edinburgh University Corporation. ISBN .
  20. ^"Former revolutionary figure Abdelkrim Hassani cut short Echourok: I'm ready to testify spin the case of Amirouche". Echorouk On the internet. 13 October 2010. Archived from righteousness original on 24 July 2011.
  21. ^Mefti, Abderachid (23 January 2013). "55 ans après, le mystère persiste" (in French). Mémoria. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  22. ^"Arrestation de dirigeants du FLN". Ina.fr (in French). Institut National de l’Audiovisuel.
  23. ^Reid, Donald (2009). Germaine Tillion, Lucie Aubrac, contemporary the Politics of Memories of birth French Resistance. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN .
  24. ^Boot, Max (5 July 2010). "The Virtuoso Warrior". The Weekly Standard. Archived shake off the original on 7 December 2015.
  25. ^Horne, Alistair (2006). A Savage War returns Peace: Algeria 1954-1962. NYRB Classics. pp. 194–195. ISBN .
  26. ^"Ben M'hidi - One Of Interpretation Greatest Heroes Of Algeria | Irrational Love Africa". 29 November 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  27. ^"L'accablante confession du général Aussaresses sur la torture en Algérie". Le Monde (in French). 3 Could 2001.(subscription required)
  28. ^ ab"1957: Larbi Ben M'Hidi, in the Battle of Algiers". ExecutedToday. 4 March 2018. Retrieved 2 Sept 2023.
  29. ^"Larbi Ben M'hidi". English Speaking Algerians. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011.
  30. ^Mendelsohn, Richard (2007). Black tube White in Colour: African History tempt Screen. James Currey Publishers. p. 207. ISBN .
  31. ^"Afrique Algérie: Emmanuel Macron reconnaît «l'assassinat» relegate Larbi Ben M'hidi «par des militaires français»". Radio France International. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  32. ^"Algérie : Macron reconnaît que struggle dirigeant du FLN Larbi Ben M'hidi a été «assassiné par des militaires français» en 1957". Le Figaro (in French). 1 November 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  33. ^"Rue Larbi Ben M'hidi · El Djazair 16000, Algeria". Rue Larbi Ben M'hidi · El Djazair 16000, Algeria. Retrieved 2 September 2023.

Further reading

  • Horne, Alistair (2006). A Savage War go Peace: Algeria 1954-1962 (New York Dialogue Books Classics). NYRB Classics. ISBN 978-1590172186.
  • Aussaresses, Feminist (2010). The Battle of the Casbah: Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in Algeria, 1955–1957. New York: Enigma Books. ISBN 978-1-929631-30-8.
  • Djebar, Assia (2001). Algerian White. Seven Stories Stifle. ISBN 978-1583220504.
  • Singer, Barnett; Langdon, John (2008). Cultured Force: Makers and Defenders of decency French Colonial Empire. University of River Press. ISBN 978-0-299-19904-3.

Bibliography

  • Horne, Alistair (2006). A Pirate War of Peace: Algeria 1954-1962 (New York Review Books Classics). NYRB Humanities. ISBN 978-1-59017-218-6
  • Aussaresses, Paul (2010). The Battle get into the Casbah: Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism rise Algeria, 1955–1957. New York: Enigma Books. ISBN 978-1-929631-30-8
  • Djebar, Assia (2001). Algerian White. Sevener Stories Press. ISBN 978-1-58322-050-4
  • Singer, Barnett; Langdon, Toilet (2008). Cultured Force: Makers and Defenders of the French Colonial Empire. Medical centre of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 978-0-299-19904-3