In honor of the thousands of people who perished during French colonial repression, the Algerian Embassy in Dhaka commemorated the 80th anniversary of the May 8, 1945 murders today with the theme “Day of Memory: A Remarkable Day for a Desired Era.”
A minute of silence in memory of the victims and the raising of the Algerian national flag marked the start of the remembrance. On the embassy grounds, the Algerian national hymn was also played.
“The day serves as a solemn reminder of the tragic events that transpired in the towns of S.tif, Guelma, and Kherrata, where peaceful demonstrations demanding independence were met with unprecedented violence by colonial authorities,” Algerian Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdelouahab SAIDANI said during the ceremony.
“May 8, 1945, is a symbol of both tragedy and hope,” he said, adding “It was on this day that Algerians who had fought valiantly alongside French forces in both World W -ars, expecting greater rights and autonomy in return, came out to the streets to peacefully demand their freedom. Their hopes were shattered by indiscriminate violence.”
The ambassador recalled how the peaceful rallies turned into scenes of horror when French forces opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in widespread massacres.
One of the first victims, he noted, was a 17-year-old scout named Bouzid Chaal, who was shot while carrying the Algerian flag during a peaceful rally-an act that triggered a wave of violent repression across the region.
In the days that followed, more than 45,000 Algerians were killed, entire villages were razed, crops and livestock destroyed, and civilians targeted with military aircraft and naval bombardments in a campaign of collective punishment.
“These were not merely acts of suppression; they were systematic massacres intended to crush the Algerian spirit and discourage demands for independence,” said Ambassador Saidani.
He noted that the May 8 crimes acted as a political wake-up call for the Algerian nationalist movement, demonstrating that nonviolent means would not be enough.
This insight prompted Mohamed Belouizdad and others to establish l’Organisation Sp,ciale (OS) in 1947, which set the stage for the military conflict that finally led to Algeria’s independence in 1962.According to the ambassador, Algeria has achieved incredible progress in nation-building since then, investing in infrastructure, education, and economic diversification while maintaining its financial independence and becoming a reputable voice on a global scale.
“Today, Algeria proudly serves as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2024-2025) and continues to advocate for peace and stability, particularly in the Sahel region,” said the envoy.
He concluded by expressing deep gratitude for the friendship between Algeria and Bangladesh, and called on both nations to continue strengthening bilateral ties.
“Glory and eternity to our righteous martyrs. Long live Algeria, long live Bangladesh, and long live the brotherhood between our two nations,” he said.
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