The Évian Accords: Beginnings and Conclusion

March 18, 1962 was a deliverance for the Algerian people and a first light for those who until then had lived a dark and tormented time. Since November 1, 1954, the date on which the armed confrontation began between Algerian nationalists and French colonial troops, fear and anguish occupied the minds in an Algeria bathed in daily bouts of attacks and repressions. Some, showing optimism, tried to convince themselves that such a tragedy had to end according to the dialectical process of negotiation, ceasefire and peace, which had led the neighboring countries, Morocco and Tunisia, to gain internal autonomy and then independence. 

But this projection came up against the resistance of the civilian and military colonial forces which, with the objective support of a weak French socialist government, intended to take control of the field and annihilate the nationalist movement which it described as a rebellion. Thus, the cycle of violence continued during the years 1955 to 1958 and no one could tell how long it would go on. However, during these last two years some rumors began to be heard reporting secret meetings of emissaries of the French government with representatives of the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) which by then had brought together the various Algerian nationalist currents. A glimmer of hope appeared. Was an official negotiation to end the violence and to address the future of Algeria on the horizon? Would the coming to power in France in 1958 of General Charles de Gaulle, a tacit supporter of the implementation of a policy of decolonization, change the course of events? 

De Gaulle’s speech on September 16, 1959 on French television, in which he recognized the Algerian people's right to self-determination would change the situation and led, a little later, to the opening on June 25, 1960 in Melun in France of the first official negotiation between the French and Algerian delegations. These first talks were unsuccessful, the two delegations being unable to approach the discussion in substance. In light of this failure, the disappointment of Algerian public opinion, which had hoped for a rapid end to the hardships, was very great. The pessimism that followed was somewhat tempered after a new negotiation opened in Evian from May 20 to June 13, 1961, but was again interrupted without the slightest progress. But the process was relaunched and a month later the talks resumed on July 20, 1961 in Lugrin in France, and then were suspended before resuming a few months later at Les Rousses ski resort. 

Despite the ostensible failure that marked them, these meetings were the opportunity for the negotiators of the two delegations to specify their demands and claims and to prepare the ground for the decisive meetings, which took place in Evian. Its work began on March 7, 1962, with the participation of the most representative personalities of the parties (among them Louis Joxe and Krim Belkacem, respectively heads of French and Algerian delegations). Eleven days of tough and laborious discussions ended on March 18, 1962, with the signing of the Evian Accords.

From then on, history accelerated. The first decisions resulting from these agreements were immediately implemented. Thus, the ceasefire agreed between the French and Algerian parties became effective on March 19, 1962, to the great relief of the Algerian population.

The installation of the Provisional Executive charged by the agreements with ensuring the management of public affairs in Algeria took place in April. It was part of the mixed structure, made up of representatives of the communities of France and Algeria, to implement the self-determination process, to restore the exercise of freedoms, and to organize the operations of a referendum. In a context of daily violence, this structure endeavored above all to bring about effective peace and set out to end the unrest and scorched-earth policy perpetrated by l’Organisation de l’Armée Secrète (OAS) extremists. 

A tense and uncertain negotiation was launched, leading to an agreement by which the OAS finally put an end to its abuses. Once the situation was pacified, the organization of the referendum of self-determination was put into motion and the operations of the referendum vote could take place on July 1st, 1962 and end with the proclamation of the independence of Algeria on July 5, 1962.

All that remained for the Provisional Executive was to organize the elections to a constituent assembly which drew up a constitution on September 10, 1962, and to which it handed over its powers on September 25, 1962, thus ending its mission.

Ultimately, subjected to criticism from hardliners, but welcomed with relief by the Algerian people, the Evian Accords had a salutary and life-saving double effect: the restoration of peace and Algeria's accession to independence. As for its subsequent provisions, which aroused only limited interest, they at least opened a field of possibilities for Algerians and for Franco-Algerian relations.