"In a few hours, Algerian military planes from France will land at Houari Boumediene International Airport with the remains of 24 leaders of the Popular Resistance and their companions." This was announced on Thursday July 2 by the Algerian president during a ceremony to award ranks and medals to officers of the National People's Army (ANP).

These are "the remains of 24 leaders of the Popular Resistance, who have been deprived of their natural and human right to be buried for over 170 years," added Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Among these fighters, is notably Cheikh Bouziane, the leader of the Zaâtcha revolt (eastern Algeria) in 1849. Captured by the French, he was shot and then beheaded.

Also mentioned are the names of Bou Amar Ben Kedida and Si Mokhtar Ben Kouider Al Titraoui, all considered as martyrs of the early days of resistance to French colonization.

Reclaimed for years by Algiers, these mortuary remains - several dozen skulls - were kept in the collections of the National Museum of Natural History. 

During a visit to Algiers on December 6, 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron undertook to return the Algerian human remains stored at the Musée de l'Homme, one of the Museum's sites.

With AFP

The France 24 week summary invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app

google-play-badge_FR