Early Life and Nationalist Involvement
Djamila Bouazza (1938 – 12 June 2015), also spelled Jamila Bouaza, was an Algerian nationalist known for her role in the struggle against French colonial rule. Her actions during the Algerian War placed her among the women who directly shaped the path toward independence. Although she carried out one of the conflict’s most notorious bomb attacks, she later expressed sorrow for the victims. Her life story remains closely linked to Algeria’s fight for liberation. After receiving a death sentence from a French military court, she was freed in 1962 under the Évian Accords.
During the war, Bouazza worked at the Postal Cheque Centre in Algiers. She was fully embedded in the colonial administrative system and nicknamed Miss Cha Cha Cha by her colleagues. After being recruited by Djamila Bouhired, she shifted decisively toward the independence movement and joined the FLN, which focused on national sovereignty. As tensions grew across the country, her involvement deepened, placing her at the center of one of the conflict’s most controversial episodes.
Coq Hardi Incident
On 26 January 1957, Bouazza received instructions to plant a bomb in the Coq Hardi bar, a well-known gathering place for affluent French Algerians. Despite strict security, she successfully entered the establishment and left the device behind. When it detonated, four people were killed and around sixty were injured, marking one of the deadliest urban attacks of the period. While Algerian nationalists celebrated her as a heroine, French authorities labelled her a terrorist, further intensifying the political and military climate.
Arrest and Trial
Bouazza was arrested on 25 April 1957. During interrogation, she admitted to placing the bomb. Authorities transferred her to Maison-Carrée prison, where she was held alongside Djamila Bouhired, Jacqueline Guerroudj, and Zohra Drif. In mid-July 1957, both Bouazza and Bouhired were sentenced to death. Bouazza expressed regret for the casualties, while Bouhired maintained her unwavering nationalist position.
Later Life
After several years in prison, Bouazza was released in 1962 following the independence agreements. She lived in Algiers until her death on 12 June 2015 at the age of 78.