Nador: Seminar on “Moroccan Participation in the Algerian War of Liberation”
On Monday evening, November 18th, Al Alam Al Amazighi newspaper, in collaboration with the World Amazigh Congress and the Mohammed Khodir Hamouti Foundation for the Preservation of North African Memory, organized a seminar on the topic of “Moroccan Participation in the Algerian War of Liberation.”
This event was held as part of the celebrations for the 69th anniversary of Morocco’s independence and the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Algerian War of Liberation.
The event saw the participation of a number of distinguished media and academic figures, including Algerian journalist Hicham Aboud, human rights activist and journalist Anwar Malek, and journalist Walid Kabir. The roundtable also featured the presence of Professor Khodir Hamouti, president of the Mohammed Khodir Hamouti Foundation, and Professor Rachid Rakah, president of the World Amazigh Congress. The session was moderated by Professor Amineh Ben Sheikh, director of Al Alam Al Amazighi newspaper.
The participants discussed the historical role Morocco played in supporting the Algerian revolution, particularly through logistical aid and political backing provided by the Kingdom to the Algerian rebels.
They also highlighted the historical and fraternal relations that have united the Moroccan and Algerian peoples, emphasizing that these bonds transcend geographical and political borders and are an integral part of the collective memory of North African peoples.
In his intervention, journalist Hicham Aboud referred to the role of Algerian generals in trying to sow division between the two peoples, but pointed out that the reality tells a different story. He gave examples from the sports field, such as the 1979 matches between the Moroccan and Algerian national football teams, and other sporting events, which always ended with applause from both sets of fans despite their intense loyalty to their respective teams. This is seen as a living example of fraternity between the two countries.
Aboud also emphasized Morocco’s pivotal role in supporting liberation movements, especially in Algeria, citing the example of Khodir Hamouti’s involvement.
Anwar Malek, on his part, stressed the need to preserve this shared memory to maintain the fraternal relationship between the two peoples. He also referenced the role of the Beni Ansar region in the Algerian revolution, comparing the relationship between Beni Ansar and the Algerian revolutionaries to the relationship between the Ansar and the Muhajirun.
Malek wondered how Moroccan and Algerian resistance fighters would feel if they returned to life today and discovered that entering Algeria required a visa.
Journalist Walid Kabir discussed the military support that Morocco provided to the Algerian cause, emphasizing the strong connections between Nador and Algerian cities, although some Algerian leaders, particularly generals, may have a different view.
Professor Khodir Hamouti focused on the importance of documenting these contributions to preserve the historical memory of North Africa. He recalled how Algerian leaders lived in his home and how they were treated as children. He also mentioned that his father named all his children after figures or places from Algeria, to the extent that the locals referred to them as “the Algerians.”
Professor Rachid Rakah noted the importance of learning from history to strengthen cooperation and solidarity among the countries of the region.
At the end of the roundtable, the participants agreed on the significance of such meetings to enhance dialogue and mutual understanding and to deepen the awareness of the importance of preserving the shared historical memory, which contributes to reinforcing the values of unity and solidarity among the peoples of North Africa.
