Algerian Radio
The President of the Republic of Algeria, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, addressed this Saturday a message on the occasion of the celebration of the 64th anniversary of Independence Day and the restoration of national sovereignty (July 5, 1962), which reads as follows:
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and prayers and peace be upon the most honorable of messengers. Fellow citizens, on the fifth (5th) of July, we celebrate with pride National Independence Day. This glorious historical day capped—with loftiness and pride—the decades of glories achieved by the honorable popular resistance, which lasted for over 75 years from the moment colonialism set foot on the proud land of Algeria. It also crowned the struggles of our forefathers, the builders of the long-standing national school, and the genius of the November generation of free revolutionaries. The price paid in blood was immense (5,630,000 martyrs). That generation of brave heroes, whose bitter national struggles deeply rooted the decisive stance in their conviction, saw their victorious convoys advance from all regions of the country to the mountains, woods, valleys, and deserts across the pure land of Algeria—group after group racing for the glory of the nation, and out of a passion to attain martyrdom as an offering for its ancient grandeur.
History records the struggle of the Algerian people during the blessed liberation revolution among the epics immortalized by the glories of heroism and sacrifice. It bears witness to the tragedies and wounds endured—for over seven years—in facing a hateful settler colonialism, and in confronting, with patience and faith, the madness of the scorched-earth policy and the hysteria of mass killings and total destruction crimes.
The authentic, resisting Algerian people endured all these immense sacrifices for the sake of Algeria's dignity. History will forever preserve the chapters of an epic revolution that stood as a testament to proud Algeria, reflecting a people naturally disposed to dignity and honor.
As we celebrate the sixty-fourth (64th) anniversary of the restoration of national sovereignty, out of commitment to the duty of preserving our national memory and in reverence to the sacrifices of the honorable resistance fighters throughout all stages, the struggling forefathers of the national movement, and the martyrs of the glorious liberation revolution, we sense what they have all entrusted to the conscience of Algerian women and men: a deep, eternal loyalty to the November Declaration and the message of the martyrs. We take immense pride in the fact that the spirit of the New Algeria, being built by sincere national wills, stems from faithfulness to the covenant of our righteous martyrs.
We are driven by full confidence that the people, who embrace a victorious Algeria with its sovereign directions and unprecedented achievements, are determined to continue the process of change and strengthen comprehensive sustainable development. They remain fully aware of the strategic stakes of this phase, which aims to place the country, in the near future, on the threshold of emerging nations.
As we live the atmosphere of commemorating this eternal anniversary, which coincides with an important constitutional milestone in the process of building true democracy, I commend on this occasion the efforts made to ensure the success of the legislative elections that took place two days ago. These efforts contributed to instilling fair, democratic competition throughout the electoral campaign and securing the fulfillment of the electoral duty for citizens in tranquility and under the best possible conditions. I extend my warmest congratulations to the proud Algerian people at home and abroad, and my greetings and appreciation to my sister Mujahidat (women freedom fighters) and brother Mujahidin (men freedom fighters). Together with them, I pray for the souls of our righteous martyrs.
Long live Algeria. Glory and eternity to our righteous martyrs. May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah Be upon you."
