User:Mohammed Rouibah

Mohammed Rouibah, also known by his nom de guerre (war name) Bel Merkhie, was born on 23 April 1932 in El Melia / Douar Ouled Kacem. From an early age Mohammed Rouibah attended Quranic school, by nine he had learned to recite the Quran by heart. He graduated from Ben Badis's Institute in Constantine. In 1954 he joined the National Liberation Army ( FLN), which lead to the Algerian war of liberation under the overall command of Zighout Youcef. Shortly after joining the FLN, he became one of the leaders of the historical Wilaya 2, to the East of the country. He married Filali Aicha in May 1957 with whom he had 8 children. Mohammed Rouibah was assassinated on 19 June 1994, outside his residence in his home town of Constantine, at Les Combattants (the Warriors) during the period of bloody terrorism known to most Algerians as the Black Decade.

At one stage during the War of Liberation Bel Merkhie was on the most wanted list of the French military. Those who knew him speak with admiration and affection of his bravery; strategic and tactical vision; and unwavering dedication to work for the freedom and eventual glory of his beloved country. His faith made him incorruptible, declining all attempts at heaping rewards on him for his services to the nation.

Mohammed Rouibah married Aicha Filali a Fredom fighter to strengthen the ties between their tribes. The parents of both of them were killed in battle by the French. The Martyr Rouibah Amar was a legitimate judge of the Revolutionary Council, as was the Martyr Filali Mohammed. Both shared a vision of freedom for their country, and an Algeria one day a proud independent member of the world's family of nations. Aicha Filali was born in 1937 in Collo / Zakrana. The day and month of her birth were not recorded, reflecting the low regard the French had for indigenous Algerians. Aicha Filali died at peace on April 16th, 2017 in her home in Constantine, surrounded by members of her family. Right to the end she displayed the enormous wisdom, serenity and calm that provided unwavering support to her husband and her children through the testing years of the War of Liberation and the Black Decade that ultimately took Mohammed from her side.

Those who worked closely with Mohammed Rouibah have little doubt that his far-sightedness foresaw some of the problems besetting modern Algeria, and that some of the solutions seeking to address these are directly traceable to him. His legacy as national hero will remain etched in the hearts of all those who knew him.

A Historical Footnote: those not familiar with Algeria's fierce War of Independence in which Mohammed Rouibah played such a key role will not know that approx. 25% of the population gave their lives in this struggle for independence from France. They have not been forgotten and never will. The memorial to these brave men, women and children reaches skyward high above the skyline of modern Algiers.