Commander Kaci: from the maquis of the historic Wilaya III to the command of the Eastern base (Tunis)

Abstract

In this paper, we present the archival work carried out by the Gehimab Learned Society (http://www.gehimab.org), El Maten village committee (Semaoun) and Hamaï family, pertaining to historical photographic documents, illustrating first, Commander Kaci action in Wilaya III (his contribution to the structuring of the FLN network in the Soummam valley and in the town of Béjaia, being a member of the organizing committee of the Soummam Congress, etc.), then his itinerary to Tunisia following an assignment by the CCE (troop inspection, various contacts, visit to the family of Zighout Youcef) and finally his missions as permanent representative of FLN with the Egyptian government, then Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern base (Tunis).

In this last post, Hamaï Mohand Oukaci (Chemini 1921 - Algiers 2003) continued to have special contacts with Wilaya III, as indicated by some photographs showing him in the company of Colonel Amirouche and Commander Abderrahmane Mira, or with diverse personalities related to sensitive files (press conference with Franz Fanon and Colonel Si El Houes to give explanations on the "Mellouza" affair, etc.). Many of these 33 documents are unpublished and little known.

Key Words: Commander Kaci, Wilaya III, Eastern base (Tunis), photographic report