40th Anniversary of Victory Day

After seven years of merciless war, on March 19, 1962 at 12:00 p.m., the ceasefire came into force throughout the national territory. Thus, 40 years ago, the armed struggle of the Algerian people to regain their independence ended after 132 years of colonization. While the fighting continued on the ground, intense diplomatic activity was underway. It was to lead to bitter and difficult bilateral negotiations, the first of which, from June 25 to 29, 1960 in Melun, France, was a failure. The French side then only wanted a partial ceasefire. On February 20, 1961, negotiations were relaunched in Lucerne, Switzerland. The Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (GPRA) demands the entire territory, total autonomy and a global ceasefire. France refuses to give up the Sahara. On March 30, 1961, the two parties expressed their desire to relaunch talks from April 7, 1961 in Evian, Switzerland. These did not resume until May 20, 1961. Led by Krim Belkacem, the GPRA delegation consisted of Saâd Dahlab, Mohamed Benyahia, Ahmed Francis, Ahmed Boumendjel, Tayeb Boulahrouf, Ali Mendjeli and Ahmed Kaïd. On July 20, 1961 in Basel, Switzerland, Rédha Malek and Mohamed Benyahia, representatives of the Algerian delegation, reported France's responses and proposals to the GPRA. They are not satisfactory. The Rousses meeting in France, held from February 11 to 19, 1962, was to see the French government accept the demands of the GPRA. On March 7, 1962, the GPRA delegation, chaired by Krim Belkacem, went to Evian. The negotiations will last twelve days, from March 7 to 19; an agreement is finally signed. The ceasefire, effective March 19 at noon, was announced on the radio by Benyoucef Benkhedda, president of the GPRA. This is victory. The Algerian people are overcome with indescribable emotion and joy; in fact, those of the winner for a just and noble cause.