Ahmed Zabana
Ahmed Zabana was an Algerian independence activist from the Oran region, born in 1926 near Zahana, in the wilaya of Mascara. He died on 19 June 1956 at Barberousse prison, later renamed Serkadji, in Algiers. The anniversary of his death, 19 June, is a national day of remembrance for Algerians sentenced to death during the war.
Ahmed Zabana was an Algerian independence activist from the Oran region, born in 1926 near Zahana, in the wilaya of Mascara. He died on 19 June 1956 at Barberousse prison, later renamed Serkadji, in Algiers. The anniversary of his death, 19 June, is a national day of remembrance for Algerians sentenced to death during the war.
At his birth, Zahana was called Saint-Lucien. He grew up in Oran, earned his certificate of studies and trained as a welder.
Zabana joined the Algerian Muslim Scouts, then the nationalist party MTLD and its secret Organisation spéciale. Arrested in 1950, he spent 3 years in prison and was released in 1953.
In 1954 Larbi Ben M'hidi asked him to organise the independence movement in the area of Zahana and Oran. French forces arrested him in November 1954 at Ghar Boudjelida.
On 21 April 1955 a military court in Oran sentenced him to death, and he was later moved to a prison in Algiers. Shortly before his death he wrote a farewell letter to his parents, which is still often quoted.
The national museum in Oran, a stadium and a boulevard in the city bear his name. In June 2026 a conference in Algiers marked the 70th anniversary of his death.
Start the conversation
Add what you know, ask a question or share your view.
Signing in takes one code sent to your email. No password.