Is Algeria the Defender of Africa’s Freedom?

By Earnest Kivumbi Benjamin & Anastasios Gordon Ssekandi – updated at 1429 on 05th February 2025

In 2014, at Kololo Airstrip during a Thanksgiving ceremony organized by the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni posed a thought-provoking question: “Who is the defender of Africa’s freedom?” This came after a passionate speech in which he criticized Western powers for centuries of exploitation and suffering inflicted on Africa, citing diseases, slavery, colonialism, neo-colonialism, and other forms of oppression.

President Yoweri Museveni visited the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria for a three-day state visit at the invitation of his counterpart, H.E Abdelmadjid Tebboune in 20223.

Since the fall of Libya’s Col. Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Uganda, under President Museveni, has played a crucial role in promoting peace and stability across the continent. Ugandan forces have been deployed in military missions across Somalia, Liberia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Sudan, Mozambique, Angola, Togo, and other nations, contributing significantly to Africa’s security and stability.

Libya, Algeria, and Africa’s Pan-African Agenda

H.E Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. *courtesy photo*

Before its destabilization, Libya funded numerous African nations and even extended loans to some European countries. Alongside Libya and South Africa, Uganda has remained a strong advocate of the Pan-African agenda. However, Algeria has also played a significant role in Africa’s struggle for freedom over the decades.

According to H.E. Amokrane Mourad, Algeria’s Ambassador to Uganda, emphasized his country’s commitment to supporting African nations in their fight against colonialism and oppression. “Algeria continues to raise awareness across Africa about the need to struggle for liberty and dignity,” he said.

Algeria’s rich history of revolutionary struggle dates back to its independence from France in 1962. After 132 years of French colonization, Algeria emerged as a symbol of resilience and resistance, actively supporting independence movements across Africa.

The country has provided military training to several African nations, including South Africa during its anti-apartheid struggle. When Nelson Mandela first visited Algeria, he made a profound statement: “Algeria made me a man.” Reports indicate that Mandela used a fake Ethiopian passport to travel there, where he received military training.

Algeria’s support has also extended to Angola, Namibia, Burkina Faso, and other nations. Over the years, a popular saying has emerged: “Revolutionaries pay allegiance to Algeria, just as Muslims do to Mecca and Catholics to the Vatican.”

Algeria’s Progress and Contributions

Algeria has made remarkable progress in social and economic development. The country offers free education from primary school to university, as well as free healthcare for all citizens.

Its infrastructure is well-developed, with 100% electricity coverage and 76% of homes connected to gas supply. Algeria’s economy is driven by exports of energy, gas, petroleum, minerals, fertilizers, and steel, among others.

Additionally, Algeria has become a notable tourist destination, boasting ancient temples, stunning mountain ranges, and picturesque Mediterranean beaches that attract visitors from around the world.

Following the 2011 NATO-led invasion of Libya, which was heavily influenced by then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Algeria granted asylum to members of Gaddafi’s family, reinforcing its position as a protector of African sovereignty.

H.E. Mourad Amokrane, Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria – left Pays Courtesy Visit to Hon. Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar- Right, Uganda Minister of Foreign Affairs – August 26, 2024

Uganda-Algeria Relations

Uganda and Algeria have enjoyed strong diplomatic ties in trade, military cooperation, education, and social development.

For over 30 years, Algeria has offered Uganda 100 scholarships annually through the Ministry of Education & Sports. Recently, the number of scholarships has increased to 275 for the 2024/2025 academic year. Ugandan students in Algeria receive free accommodation, meals, transportation, and financial support.

The ease of obtaining visas has encouraged many Ugandans to study and work in Algeria. Numerous Ugandan doctors, engineers, and scientists have been trained there. Ambassador Amokrane shared an anecdote about discovering an Algerian-trained doctor during a visit to Nakasero Hospital in Kampala.

Trade between the two nations continues to grow. Uganda exports agricultural products such as milk, fish, and coffee to Algeria, while importing tractors, irrigation equipment, fertilizers, and other essential goods.

While recently attending the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Liberation Anniversary, Ambassador Amokrane witnessed the struggle of Ugandan people and improvement done “It reminded me of where Algeria came from and how far we have progressed. Algeria has built millions of social housing units, including free apartments, while some residents pay minimal rent until they fully own their homes,” he remarked.

The Question of Western Sahara

The Ambassador also posed a critical question to HICGI News Agency’s Kivumbi Earnest Benjamin: “What do you say about Western Sahara being the last colony of Africa?”

Since 1975, Algeria has hosted thousands of refugees from Western Sahara, continuing its long-standing support for self-determination and decolonization in Africa.

“Based on our conviction, the Africans are capable of resolving their challenges by themselves and by the virtue of the firm principles that Algeria has adopted since its independence. Especially the principle of solidarity and support for just causes in the world.” Says the Ambassador.

Talking about colonialism, he says Africans still have people under the colonial domination, who must exercise their rights to self determination. It is the people of Western Sahara.

Algeria stands always to support the struggle of these people who are still suffering from the colonial domination.

The question of Western Sahara is still on the table of the United Nations, as a decolonization issue and reaffirmed, as such, by various legal provisions of international law, like the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice in 1975, which concluded the non-existence of any link of sovereignty between the territory of Western Sahara and Morocco.

Algeria affirms the need for the International Community to assume its responsibility regarding this issue.

Also, the last ruling of the European Union Vourt of Justice on 04th October 2024, canceling three agreements concluded between the European Union and Morocco on agriculture products and fishing is a historical decision which confirmed, once again and irreversibly, the right of Sahrawi people to self determination.

This means that the territory of Western Sahara is distinct from Morocco and has affirmed the illegaligality of the economic activities and exploitation of natural resources carried out by the occupying power in the Western Sahara.

In addition to that, he says Africans must be aware that the neo-colonialism is back in Africa witnessed by the division between countries. “At the moment when certain colonial Powers establish for themselves the right to say that this territory belongs to X or Y, instead of the people, we must eradicate coronalism. Africans should ensure that African nations do not dominate one another.”

He adds that the unification of Africa, and the decolonization of Western Sahara the last colony on the continent are crucial for economic integration and building a safe and prosperous continent, in line with the principle of African solutions to African solutions to African problems.

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