مجلة الباحث في العلوم الانسانية والاجتماعية
Volume 17, Numéro 1, Pages 29-52
2026-02-13

The Leadership Problematic In The Algerian Liberation Revolution And The Impact Of The Soummam Outcomes On Its Framing. "grassroots Leadership Of The Revolution And Armament In Tunisia As A Model"(1955 – 1957)

Authors : Hannai Mohammed .

Abstract

There is no doubt that the principle of leadership in revolutions constitutes a decisive factor in directing the revolution toward its goals. The charisma of this leadership, along with the circumstances that contributed to its establishment and the push it provided to the movement, all played a vital role. Among such leaderships, we find the leaders of the Algerian Liberation Revolution, who contributed significantly—through their determination, resilience, and efforts—to advancing the revolutionary process and ensuring its continuity.This leadership, with its pioneering, organizational, and political roles, was able to steer the revolutionary struggle effectively. It provided guidance to the revolution and influenced its momentum, shaping the revolutionary movement both militarily and politically. It also played a crucial role in the historical preparation and strategic planning of the liberation process.However, the revolutionary experience also revealed the extent of internal struggles that many of its leaders endured. For instance, during the critical years between 1955 and 1957, the Algerian Liberation Army’s external base in Tunisia witnessed intense conflicts among leaders. These disputes often overshadowed the unity of the revolutionary front, undermining the efforts made on the battlefield and impacting the revolution’s organizational strength. The disagreements escalated into violent confrontations, leading to numerous assassinations. A clear example of this was the tragic fate of several revolutionary leaders, including Said Abid Al-Hai and Ali Abdelkarim, who were victims of the internal conflicts within the Tunisian Command and Armament Base (1955–1957).

Keywords

Algerian Liberation Revolution – Leadership – the Soummam – Tunisia – Said Abid Al-Hai.