Algerian Army: Pillar of Sovereignty, Guardian of Stability – Four Years of Honoring a Historic Legacy

Algerian Army: Pillar of Sovereignty, Guardian of Stability – Four Years of Honoring a Historic Legacy

✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | In its August edition, Revue El Djeïch devotes an extensive dossier to the commemoration of the fourth anniversary of Algeria’s People’s National Army Day (PNA), a solemn occasion instituted by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of National Defence. Marking the historic transformation of the National Liberation Army (ALN) into the People’s National Army (PNA) on August 4, 1962, this date has become a cornerstone of national memory – a moment to honor sacrifice, service, and the unshakeable mission of safeguarding Algeria’s sovereignty.

The editorial, aptly titled “Homage and Honor”, reminds readers that this anniversary is far more than ceremonial. It stands as a resolute reaffirmation of the PNA’s historic responsibility: to act as the central pillar of national security, the guarantor of Algeria’s sovereignty, and the protector of its territorial integrity. Over the decades, the PNA has undergone profound modernization – evolving into a professional, highly trained, and technologically advanced force capable of countering threats both traditional and emerging.

President Tebboune’s words, quoted in the dossier, capture the heart of the Army–People bond: “The PNA stands in perfect cohesion with the people, drawing dignity from its place in the nation’s heart.” This cohesion, built on mutual trust and patriotism, is the foundation of Algeria’s resilience in the face of destabilization attempts.

General of the Army Saïd Chanegriha, Chief of Staff of the PNA, underscored the sacred duty of the armed forces: to remain an impregnable shield of stability in an increasingly volatile regional and global environment. He called on all personnel to carry forward the heritage of their heroic forebears with unwavering determination, ensuring that the PNA continues to defend Algeria’s borders, unity, and future.

The Revue also situates the PNA’s role within Algeria’s broader trajectory of transformation – a period marked by economic reforms, social progress, and an assertive diplomatic presence. Algeria’s election to the UN Security Council, presidency of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, and vice-presidencies in several international bodies testify to the global recognition of its peace-driven foreign policy.

Internally, the PNA’s modernization agenda includes robust investment in defence infrastructure, cutting-edge armaments, advanced officer training, and readiness against cyber, terrorist, and geopolitical threats. The magazine pays solemn tribute to the chouhada, whose sacrifices remain the living source of national pride and determination.

The bond between the PNA and the people is described as a family tie – a bond that no adversary can sever. This unity, the Revue warns, is the nation’s strongest defence against the turbulence of tomorrow. It is a call to vigilance, cohesion, and the unshakable will to keep Algeria sovereign, stable, and strong.