Scientific event

The establishment of « Etoile Nord-africain » (ENA) marked a significant shift in the contemporary Algerian political landscape. The ENA distinguished itself as one of the leading political organizations of the national movement. It was the first political framework structured around the demand for national independence, thus setting itself apart from other reformist and integrationist currents that emerged during this period. For many years, the ENA was absent official celebrations, but it has since gained a relatively prominent place in the media and in political and academic circles. However, entire sections of its history remain to be explored. Founded in Paris in 1926 within the community of migrant workers, in a context marked by growing political and social awareness, the ENA served as a rallying point not only for workers, merchants, and trade unionists, but also for students and intellectuals. Initially, the presidency was held by Abdelkader Hadj Ali, then... Messali Hadj emerged as one of the main leaders before becoming the charismatic head of the movement in 1927. In its initial phase, the ENA (North African Nationalist Party) brought together Maghrebi members from Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. It later transformed into an Algerian organization, while remaining true to the principles of solidarity and unity in the struggle for independence. Furthermore, relations between Maghrebi nationalists continued through ongoing contact in defense of a common cause.
The principle of the Etoile Nord-africain struggle for equality, dignity, and anti-colonialism was central to its foundations. Less than a year after its creation, at the anti-imperialist congress in Brussels (February 1927), independence was proclaimed for the first time on an international stage by Messali. This is an event that will leave its mark on the national consciousness.
This meeting, organized by the CRASC on the occasion of the ENA's centenary, aims to revisit the history of Etoile Nord-africain, which, a century after its founding, continues to fuel debates among historians, focusing on its leaders, its place within the national movement, its relations with the communists and other national formations (Ulema, elected officials), as well as the colonial administration.
On the occasion of the centenary, the goal is to highlight the richness and complexity of the Étoile's actions, its legacy, and its trajectory. This approach seeks to shed light on the historical, social, and political issues facing Algeria in the 1920s and 1930s, as well as those of immigration and the role of the national movement in North Africa. It is worth emphasizing that its history, despite the work done to date, deserves a more prominent place in national historiography, by further investigating the movement's archives (Colonial Commission, French Communist Party, National Overseas Archives, Police Prefectures, etc.).
This study day aims first (re)examine the circumstances surrounding the birth of Etoile Nord-africain and the evolution of its program and actions, with a particular focus on its founders and key figures, its press organs, and its methods of operation. While it is true that the first phase of the ENA's activity was marked by a significant rapprochement with the French Communist Party, while also benefiting from the support of working-class and trade union circles, this orientation soon evolved progressively towards the crystallization of an independent national project. Its main objective was the achievement of independence, while continuing the struggle for freedom of the press and association, and for political and trade union rights. The demands put forward by the ENA undoubtedly constitute a major step in the evolution of the national movement. Therefore, to understand the party's trajectory, it is important to examine the context of its development and structure, taking into account the major events of this decade (in Algeria, France, North Africa, and the Arab countries). In the context of the years 1926-1936, preceded by the Rif War, several events had a significant impact on the ENA: the 6th Congress of the Third International (1928), its dissolution (1929, then again in 1937), the events in Constantine (1934), the arrest of Messali and his companions, Amar Imache and Belkacem Radjef, in 1934, the European Muslim Congress (September 1935), the victory of the Popular Front and the holding of the Algerian Muslim Congress (1936), etc.
The history of the ENA is therefore a turbulent one, which questions the very conditions of Algeria's social, political, and economic evolution, while maintaining its commitment to neighboring peoples. This is why this conference is of particular importance, not because it is linked to the ENA's centenary.