Dien Bien Phu is the starting point of national liberation movements in Africa

Former Algerian soldier Tayeb affirmed that the Dien Bien Phu victory was the beginning of the independence of most countries in Africa, the starting point of national liberation movements in Africa.

On the afternoon of May 7, 1954, the "Determination to Fight - Determination to Win" flag of the Vietnam People's Army flew on the roof of General De Castries' bunker. The historic Dien Bien Phu campaign was a complete victory. (Photo: VNA archive)

For Mr. Cherfaoui Tayeb, a former soldier, talking about Vietnam means talking about Dien Bien Phu - the campaign that defeated the French army.

The Chairman of the Algeria-Vietnam Friendship Association also affirmed that "Vietnam is a revolutionary example for us" when answering an interview with a VNA reporter in Algeria on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2024).

Mr. Cherfaoui Tayeb recalled a memorable event for him, which was the visit to Algeria of General Vo Nguyen Giap, the great revolutionary of Vietnam, the "right-hand man" of President Ho Chi Minh .

He shared: “We feel very honored to welcome and work with General Giap. We have learned a lot from President Ho Chi Minh and General Giap, from their style, inner strength and intelligence. They are real geniuses, they have gathered the strength of national unity and liberated and unified the country."

Mr. Cherfaoui Tayeb, President of the Algeria-Vietnam Friendship Association. (Photo: VNA)

According to Mr. Cherfaoui Tayeb, Vietnam is a revolutionary example having gone through many struggles against foreign invaders. He emphasized that the Dien Bien Phu Campaign and Vietnam's resistance proved that French colonialism was not "invincible."

The French soldiers were equipped with more weapons, planes, and ammunition, but they lacked the courage and determination to fight. That was one of the factors that motivated the Algerians to hope, to make a revolution to regain their country, their national pride, religion, economy , and life. That was an important lesson that Algeria learned from Vietnam.

The victory of Dien Bien Phu proved that military art is very important but belief and the justice of the action are also factors that cannot be overlooked. The Vietnamese people believed that the opportunity had come, it was a vital time to act to liberate the country and drive out the French colonialists. The Vietnamese people acted according to such a firm belief and they knew that this was a just cause, for the country and the love of the fatherland.

Historical films about the battle of Dien Bien Phu depict images of Vietnamese troops advancing from many directions, from Hanoi, from the North by truck, through tunnels and trenches.

According to Mr. Cherfaoui Tayeb, it is like the work of digging holes of ants and Algeria has learned this tactic. He emphasized: “Thanks to the Dien Bien Phu campaign, African countries liberated their nations and gained independence. Our country Algeria did the same. We established the national liberation front in France, at that time I was also in Paris, and I saw that our fighting style was also learned from Vietnam.”

Mr. Cherfaoui Tayeb affirmed that the Dien Bien Phu victory was the beginning of the independence of most countries in Africa, the starting point of African national liberation movements to escape the colonial yoke of France, England, Germany such as Tunisia in 1956, Algeria in 1962...

General Vo Nguyen Giap speaks at the Victory Celebration Ceremony right at the Dien Bien Phu front. (Photo: VNA)

He recalled: “In Northern Algeria in 1956, many students aged 18-20 left school, put aside their dreams of becoming doctors or engineers, and joined the Maquis to fight because they realized that colonialism was temporary and could be defeated. If Algeria had not fought an armed struggle, French colonialism would still be in Algeria. So, the starting point of our independence was Vietnam, the model for us to follow was Vietnam.”

Mr. Cherfaoui Tayeb recalled that in the French army at that time, there were many Algerian soldiers, many of whom later left the French army to join the resistance with the Vietnamese people. They then found a way to return to Algeria and joined the Algerian Marquis army, bringing with them the combat experience of the Vietnamese army to join the resistance to liberate Algeria.

Mr. Cherfaoui Tayeb said that the Algerian people consider President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap as heroes, talented, intelligent and strategic military commanders. They are shining examples not only for Algeria but also for the world to follow. President Ho Chi Minh and General Giap proved to the world that nothing is impossible. The victory at Dien Bien Phu changed history, broke the colonial regime and was the origin of revolutions around the world. Dien Bien Phu is a great symbol, where the Vietnamese held their heads high and the French had to bow their heads. That image says it all.

According to Mr. Cherfaoui Tayeb, Vietnam is not resting on its laurels but is moving forward and is having spectacular developments, economic relations with the US and many countries around the world. The war has ended and Vietnam has built a new life with a dynamic economy. Having the opportunity to return to Vietnam, he saw high-rise buildings springing up everywhere, famous beautiful tourist areas...

As Chairman of the Algeria-Vietnam Friendship Association, Mr. Cherfaoui Tayeb said that the Association and many successful Algerian businessmen also have cooperative relationships with reliable partners in Vietnam. These businessmen have come to Hanoi and established Algeria-Vietnam companies specializing in areas that are Vietnam's strengths, such as construction.

He stated: “Our association wants to further strengthen cooperation, especially economic cooperation. Of course, this depends on many factors such as dynamism and positivity from both sides.”

Mr. Cherfaoui Tayeb assessed that Vietnam and Algeria have a lot of potential for cooperation in construction, fishing and aquaculture, food processing industry, agriculture...

Mr. Cherfaoui Tayeb hopes that in the near future, the two countries can open an Algeria-Vietnam transaction bank, connecting trade by air and sea as a premise for implementing future projects./.

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