Lakhdar Ellala | Memories of a Comrade

⚠️ Urgent — Flash Radio is following this situation in real time. Homage to Lakhdar Ellala, former leader of the student movement, of the left democratic movement, of civil society and of Tunisian immigration in France, who passed away on October 20, 2026, and was buried two days later in his hometown, Nefta, a man who deeply marked the memory of all those who crossed his militant path. Moncef Ben Slimane * We are at the beginning of the academic year, 1972. ⏱️ 4 min read The facts and recent developments After a phase of consultation and coordination among militants, we had estimated that the decisive moment had arrived. The extraordinary congress of the General Union of Tunisian Students (Uget) was to take place that year, from February 3 to 5, at the Faculty of Law in Tunis. Hundreds of students were gathering then in 'discussion circles' to debate the future of the Uget, university autonomy, and various political and social issues affecting Tunisian society. On the morning of February 5, as we were immersed in our debates, gathered on the Faculty of Law's plaza, we spotted in the distance, from the side of the National School of Engineers in Tunis (Enit) and the Faculty of Sciences, police trucks deploying. 'They are the Marxists, we are the Bourguibists.' 'In Tunisia, the student leader, Lakhdar Ellala, led a revolt against Bourguiba's regime.' Anxiety and agitation gradually spread through our ranks. It was then that Lakhdar Ellala climbed to the podium. Beside him stood Mokhtar Trifi. In an impassioned speech, Lakhdar encouraged us, energized the militants, and called us to resist. His determination, courage, and presence among us gave this moment a particular strength to our mobilization. Suddenly, behind the buildings of the faculty, one or two cami