Algeria’s Historic Revolution and Its Impact on World Politics Highlighted at Conference in Dhaka

Algerian Ambassador Says Revolution Remains a Landmark in Establishing Independence, Sovereignty and the Right to Self-Determination

Dhaka, October 31, 2026: The historic contribution of the Algerian Revolution to ending colonial rule, achieving national independence, upholding the right to self-determination and shaping international relations was highlighted at a conference held in Dhaka to mark the 72nd anniversary of Algeria’s Glorious November Revolution.

On Saturday, an international conference titled “The Algerian Revolution of November 1, 1954, and Its Impact on International Relations” was held at Le Méridien Dhaka.

The event was addressed by H.E. Dr. Abdelwahab Saïdani, Ambassador of Algeria to Bangladesh. He said the Algerian Revolution was not merely a struggle for the independence of one country; rather, it had a profound impact on international diplomacy, anti-colonial movements, human rights and the development of the right of peoples to self-determination.

The Ambassador said that, with extraordinary courage, sacrifice and determination, the Algerian people launched their liberation struggle against 132 years of French colonial rule. Following a prolonged and bloody struggle, Algeria achieved independence in July 1962. The revolution subsequently became a symbol of hope for freedom-loving people across the world fighting against colonial domination.

He noted that the Algerian Revolution raised a fundamental question before the international community: how could colonial populations be denied freedom, dignity and political rights while universal human rights were being advocated? The revolution strengthened the international movement for the recognition of people's right to determine their own political future.

The Ambassador also highlighted the political impact of the Algerian War on the collapse of France's Fourth Republic in 1958 and the establishment of the Fifth Republic. He further explained the international significance of Algeria's liberation struggle in the context of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514 of 1960, which recognized the right of colonial countries and peoples to independence.

He said Algeria's independence inspired various liberation movements across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Following independence, Algeria emerged as one of the major supporters and centres of international liberation movements, earning the reputation of the “Mecca of Revolutionaries.”

In his address, he also acknowledged the contributions of prominent intellectuals such as Frantz Fanon and Jean-Paul Sartre, whose writings brought colonial oppression, torture, psychological trauma and human dignity into international discussions.

Referring to Bangladesh-Algeria relations, the Ambassador said that the values of sacrifice, dignity and national self-determination embodied in the Algerian Revolution also hold profound significance for the people of Bangladesh. He emphasized strengthening the historic friendship between the two countries, promoting solidarity among countries of the Global South, peacefully resolving disputes and upholding humanitarian values.

Concluding his speech, he declared: “Long live Algeria. Long live Bangladesh. Long live the friendship between our two peoples.”

Keynote Paper Highlights the Algerian Revolution's Impact on Global Politics

The keynote paper was presented by Professor Dr. S. M. Shamim Reza of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism.

In his paper titled “The Algerian Revolution of 1954: Its Impact on International Relations and World Politics,” he stated that the Algerian Revolution was not simply a national war of independence; it was also a significant political struggle that contributed to the transition from the European colonial system towards a world order based on sovereign and independent states.

He noted that the revolution, launched on November 1, 1954, under the leadership of the National Liberation Front (FLN), challenged the legitimacy of European colonial rule and played an important role in strengthening Afro-Asian solidarity.

Professor Reza explained that the FLN successfully brought the question of Algerian independence to the international arena by utilizing diplomatic initiatives, international networks, media engagement and political support from various countries. As a result, the issue moved beyond France's attempts to portray it as an internal security problem and became a subject of discussion at the United Nations and other international institutions.

He also analyzed the impact of the Algerian Revolution on France's relations with the United States, NATO and the United Nations. At the same time, he highlighted the importance of Algeria's independence struggle in the context of the 1955 Bandung Conference and the development of Afro-Asian solidarity.

The keynote paper further noted that the Evian Accords, signed in March 1962, paved the way for Algeria's independence, which was achieved in July of the same year. This historic victory gave fresh momentum to anti-colonial movements around the world.

In his analysis, Professor Reza observed that the Algerian Revolution remains a remarkable example of how armed resistance, diplomatic initiatives, international solidarity and political pressure can transform a national liberation struggle into a major event in international politics.

He added that the lessons of the Algerian Revolution remain highly relevant to contemporary global discussions on sovereignty, self-determination, international justice and the legacy of colonial rule.

Historic Bonds of Bangladesh-Algeria Friendship

Alongside the historical significance of the Algerian Revolution, the conference placed considerable emphasis on the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and Algeria, the spirit of independence and international solidarity.

Speakers observed that the ideals of freedom, sovereignty, human dignity and the rights of peoples upheld by the Algerian Revolution continue to inspire freedom-loving people around the world.

They expressed hope that the shared historical values of the two nations would play an important role in further strengthening the friendly relations between Bangladesh and Algeria.