Algerian War of Independence | Historic Footage Captures Conflict's Key Moments (1961-1963)

Following the failed Algiers Putsch in April 1961 and the signing of the Évian Accords in March 1962, Algeria officially gained independence in July 1962. The months that followed were marked by internal unrest and political uncertainty, eventually leading to Ahmed Ben Bella becoming the country’s first president in September 1963.

During this period, ITN reported from Algeria, documenting the country’s path to independence and its immediate aftermath. In this series of reports, John Whale, Nigel Ryan, Ian Trethowan, and Tom St John Barry examine the major political debates and unfolding developments, offering a contemporary account of Algeria’s final years under French rule and its early steps as a new nation.