Table of Contents
- 1 Our history is marked by tragedies with profound repercussions, from which few of us have escaped.
- 2 **What specific actions, beyond journalistic narratives, can be taken to ensure that historical injustices like those committed during the 1990s are not forgotten and contribute to a process of genuine reconciliation?**
Our history is marked by tragedies with profound repercussions, from which few of us have escaped.
Among the poignant stories that bear witness to this dark period, that of Saâda, a seven-year-old survivor of the massacre which decimated her family as well as the inhabitants of neighboring hamlets for miles, particularly stands out.
The journey of this young woman offers us a unique look at human resilience, as well as the collective scars left by the dark decade. His testimony, I am firmly convinced, is not simply a new sensationalist narrative à la Dahdouh. It is an authentic testimony, which embodies brutal realities and lived experiences that have forever marked his existence.
It is crucial not to underestimate the magnitude of what Saâda represents. She is more than just a victim; despite herself, Saâda is a symbol for an entire generation who had to survive the unspeakable, confronting events that defy human understanding.
She is one of those voices that must never be stifled by imposed silence or state lies. Saâda carries within her the need to bear witness, so that the truth is known and the suffering is never forgotten.
However, Kamel Daoud’s words seem to me to be more those of a victim than those of a witness. Journalists of the time were often faced with situations for which they were not prepared, notably the role of correspondent in the middle of a civil war, much more complex than that of a traditional war correspondent, and for which they were not prepared. were neither trained nor prepared. They had to learn on the job, while facing terror and uncertainty on a daily basis.
In addition, they were ideologically weakened by internal divisions and physically targeted by Islamist forces, as well as by state repression. This makes their work all the more heroic: despite lack of resources, constant threat, and immense political pressure, they continued to report the truth, even if that truth was often distorted or censored by higher interests.
In approaching the case Hourisit seems to me that we must be interested in the words of the victims, Saâda and Kamel, and eliminate the pseudo-civil actions of memorial censorship in the name of “ victims of terrorism » (here’s a point of evacuation!).
Saâda: surviving the unspeakable
Child of the mountains of Relizane, on the borders of the 1st and 2nd military region, Saâda was the victim of a night of horror where her throat was slit alongside her sister. “The Emirs, the Princes, excelled at burning children during this war, the facts of which no one can swear to today. The brigades burned newborn babies in kitchen ovens, disemboweled women, decapitated heads to place them on the thresholds of houses, and slit the throats of little girls for the pleasure of God. At the end of 1999, two of them had wrapped themselves in a large blanket with a drawing of a tiger on top as the year and the century expired with a sound of paper and wind on the roof. One closed her eyes and reopened them in Oran, the other will never open them again. » (Houris, Kamel Daoud, editions Gallimard 2024)
Found dying, Saâda was transported to Oran University Hospital and taken care of by Professor Zahia Mentouri-Chentouf, renowned pediatrician and former Minister of Health under Boudiaf. This medical link quickly became filial: “His entire family, shepherds, had been massacred by an FIS militia. She, aged seven, had been left for dead, her throat cut. She spent eight months in the children’s intensive care unit. My husband and I adopted her. » (Interview Z. Mentouri https://www.groene.nl/artikel/het-verdriet-van-algerije). Zahia offered Saâda not only medical care, but also a home and a chance to rebuild her life. Their relationship, tinged with protective love but also marked by the respective traumas of these two women, bears witness to the deep wounds left by history.
Without a doubt, Saâda transformed her pain into strength, becoming a national equestrian champion and building a life marked by remarkable resilience. However, the death of Zahia Mentouri in 2022 revived its fragilities, revealing the precariousness of a hard-won balance.
The Had Chekala and Ramka massacres, which occurred at the end of 1997 and the beginning of 1998, represent one of the darkest pages in our history. More than 1,000 victims died in unprecedented brutality. These atrocities, long minimized or censored, reveal the abandonment of rural populations, while the priority was to secure official Algeria and useful Algeria. These populations found themselves caught between Islamist groups and security forces.
Kamel Daoud, a follower of formulas, nicknamed Had Chekala “Had Dénia”, translating “Denia” as Life, and not Earth or Place. Back from this end of the worldKamel Daoud informed his editorial staff of the scale of the massacre, mentioning the 1,000 deaths. His skeptical colleagues doubt, because the official figures are much lower; the newspaper then headlines dozens of deaths. It was not until March 2006 that Ahmed Ouyahia recognized the true extent of the carnage. When years later, he encounters Saâda’s destiny, it is a safe bet that it is his own trauma that he plunges back into, hence, probably, the irresistible need to write Saâda’s story as an outlet. of his own history.
Houris could be constructed from so many other cases. that of Saada is not unique. The page, Adjouad Algeria, hosted by Nazim Mekbel, reveals so many cases of victims and situations! But this is the case of this child who lives with Kamel Daoud, because, as he said in 2006, “You can live in a place for a long time, but a place can live in you even longer. » and Had Chekala inhabits Kamel Daoud to make him lose many bearings and to lead us to great indulgence, including on the subject of his past support for Bouteflika’s villainous law.
The imperative of working on memory and respecting the words of victims
It is imperative to carry out profound work of remembrance to honor the victims and fully understand the truth of this dark period. Respecting the words of victims, like that of Saâda and so many others, is essential to manifest the truth and hope for a true reconciliation of Algeria with itself and its emancipatory trajectory. It is only by recognizing individual suffering, including that of Kamel Daoud, and by preserving collective memory that Algeria can hope to move towards a future of justice and lasting peace.
Mohand Bakir
**What specific actions, beyond journalistic narratives, can be taken to ensure that historical injustices like those committed during the 1990s are not forgotten and contribute to a process of genuine reconciliation?**
## Interview: Shadows of the ’90s – Trauma, Memory & Reconciliation in Algeria
**Introduction**
Welcome to World Today News. Today we have the privilege of discussing a deeply moving and critical article addressing a painful chapter of Algerian history – the 1990s conflict. We are joined by two distinguished guests: [Guest 1 Name & Credentials], and [Guest 2 Name & Credentials].
**Section 1: The Unforgettable Destiny of Saâda**
* **Guest 1:** The article recounts the harrowing story of Saâda, a child who survived a massacre, losing her entire family. What struck you most about her story, and how does it exemplify the broader human cost of this conflict?
* **Guest 2:** The article touches on Saâda finding hope and resilience, even achieving success as a national equestrian champion. How important is it to showcase these stories alongside the tragedy, and what lessons can be learned from her journey?
**Section 2: The Press & Navigating Trauma in Conflict Zones**
* **Guest 1:** The article highlights the challenges faced by journalists during this period, including those experienced by Kamel Daoud. What were some of these challenges, and how do they factor into the reporting of conflict-related atrocities?
* **Guest 2:** We read about the pressure to downplay or censor violence. Can you share your perspective on this delicate balance between journalistic responsibility and the need for public awareness?
**Section 3: Unveiling the Sins of Omission - Had Chekala and Ramka**
* **Guest 1:** The massacres of Had Chekala and Ramka are depicted as particularly brutal and long-minimized events. Why is it crucial to shed light on these historical injustices even years later?
* **Guest 2:** The article suggests a link between Daoud’s personal connection to Had Chekala and his later writing. What are your thoughts on the role of personal trauma in shaping a writer’s choices and ultimately, a nation’s narrative?
**Section 4: The Imperative of Memory and Reconciliation**
* **Guest 1:** How can we, as individuals and a society, engage in meaningful remembrance and reconciliation efforts? What role does honoring the voices of survivors like Saâda play in this process?
* **Guest 2:** What steps can be taken at the national level to address the lingering wounds of this era, foster accountability, and prevent such atrocities from recurring?
**Conclusion:** Thank you both for your insightful perspectives. This conversation serves as a crucial reminder of the lasting impact of the 1990s conflict and the urgent need for ongoing dialog, remembrance, and actions towards a more just and peaceful future for Algeria.
