Tizi Ouzou Unveils Monuments for Martyrs, Hocine Aït Ahmed
In the Aït Yahya municipality, located southeast of Tizi Ouzou, two commemorative monuments were recently inaugurated, with one dedicated to martyrs and the other specifically honoring the late moudjahid Hocine Aït Ahmed (1926-2015). These dedications took place on Jour du Moudjahid, a national day dedicated to the dual anniversary of the North Constantine Attacks on August 20, 1955, and the historic Soummam Congress on August 20, 1956. The monuments were developed through the initiative of local organizations representing the revolutionary family, including the National Organization of Mujahideen, the National Organization of Sons of Mujahideen, and the National Organization of Sons of Martyrs, in collaboration with the Municipal People's Assembly. The inauguration ceremony saw the attendance of Tizi Ouzou Governor Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Bousta, members of the revolutionary family, various provincial officials, and a significant gathering of citizens.
Fatih Hamrouche, the Director of Mujahideen for Tizi Ouzou, underscored the profound importance of commemorating the North Constantine Attacks and the Soummam Congress. These pivotal events, he noted, affirmed the necessity of armed struggle for the country's independence and were instrumental in placing the Algerian cause on the agenda of the United Nations General Assembly in September 1955. Hamrouche further highlighted the considerable significance of the Soummam Congress, convened on August 20, 1956, in laying the foundational principles of the independent Algerian state. He characterized the late moudjahid Hocine Aït Ahmed as a great man possessing vision and foresight, who dedicated his life to the selfless service of his nation.
Hocine Aït Ahmed, born on August 20, 1926, became an early participant in the national movement dedicated to liberating the country from colonial rule. He rose to prominence, playing a crucial role in leadership positions, notably participating in the attack on the Oran post office in 1949 and engaging in numerous diplomatic battles on the international stage. His commitment led to his arrest on October 22, 1956, by colonial forces, where he was imprisoned alongside other leaders of the National Liberation Front following what was described as the first aerial hijacking in history, perpetrated by French colonial authorities. Following Algeria's independence, Aït Ahmed was released and subsequently elected as a deputy in the National Assembly. He passed away on December 23, 2015, at the age of 89, leaving behind a substantial legacy of values and sacrifices for future generations, and was laid to rest in his birthplace, Ath Ahmed village, within the Aït Yahya municipality.
