All along the exhibition historians share their analysis
The path to Independence
B. Stora et F. Soufi
All along the exhibition historians share their analysis
De Gaulle and the Armée of the Future M. Vaïsse
Negotiations with the FLN started in Evian in May 1961 and came to a close on 18 March 1962 with the signing of an agreement that theoretically put an end to the war and organised the transition to Algerian independence.
Cinq colonnes à la une, « Algérie, le mois de l'exode », 1er juin 1962. coll. INA.
Yet peace was not restored. The OAS organised more attacks as several hundred thousands of Algerian Europeans left the country in an ever tenser environment. The French Army – whose presence had been significantly reduced following the April 1961 coup – was ordered not to intervene and stop the violence. On 1 July 1962 over 91% of voters in Algeria endorsed independence in a referendum. France recognised Algerian independence on 3 July and Algerians celebrated it on 5 July. It marked the end of 132 years of French rule in Algeria.
Manifestations de joie à l'occasion de la proclamation de l'indépendance algérienne, 5 juillet 1962 coll. ECPAD, ACT 6291.
Yet there were further confrontations and unrest, especially in Oran where hundreds of Europeans were killed or abducted on 5 July. Having been abandoned by the French authorities, thousands of Harkis were also massacred. Thanks to officers who refused to obey orders, some Harkis nonetheless managed to get to France. On 9 September 1962 units from the Algerian national army marched into Algiers for the first time. Cooperation agreements between France and Algeria, including military cooperation agreements, were implemented. The last French troops withdrew from the Sahara in 1967.
