Historical Background
After the recovery of national sovereignty in 1962, Algerian authorities worked on creating archival fonds of Algeria in a way that ensures communication between its past and its present and enlightens the future generations who will benefit through it from the ancients’ experience, and to remain a witness to the memory of the nation.
The mission of forming and managing this fonds was initially entrusted to the Ministry of National Guidance, which issued a circular in August 1964 regarding the reform of the Algerian archives, then to the Ministry of National Education (Directorate of Culture).
In 1971, the National Archives were placed under the supervision of the Presidency of the Revolutionary Council by ordinance 36-71 of 03-6-1971 which includes the establishment of the National Archives Fonds. In 1972, this gain was supported by the establishment of National Archives Directorate pursuant to the decree dated on December 31st, 1972, as well as the Directorate of the Central Depot of the National Archives, after which an Advisory Council of the National Archives was established by decree 75-74 of April 25th, 1974.
In 1977, the decree 67-77 of March 20th 1977 was issued, regulating and defining the role and the functions of the Directorate of National Archives and its network, as well as the Advisory Council of the National Archives and the Central Depot of the National Archives. This decree allowed the re-opening of archival depots in Algiers, Constantine, and Oran.
In November 1977, the Directorate of National Archives was attached to the National Center of Historical studies. And in 1981 the sector of archives was strengthened with 12 new directorates of Wilaya. In January 1984 the National Center for Historical Studies was attached to the Ministry of Culture and the Directorate of National Archives became under its supervision.
Between the years 1984 and 1987, many commissions were formed in order to study the different issues related to the National Archives notably legislative and regulatory aspects. Their effort resulted in issuing decree 11-87 of January 06th 1987 which includes the creation of the National Archives Center. The year 1988 marked the issuance of law 09-88 of January 26th, 1988 related the National Archives.
Given the tasks carried out by the National Archives and the increasing activity associated with it, public authorities have paid great attention to strengthening its role and achieving its objectives notably those related to the protection of the National Memory, therefore, the presidential decree 121-21 of March 29th 2021 containing the re-organization of the General Directorate of the National Archives was issued, as well as the presidential decree 122-21 of March 29th 2021 which includes the re-organization of the National Archives Center.
The Successive Directors of the National Archives Center
- 1973-1977 Mr. Redouane Ainad Tabet director of the National Archives
- 1973-1977 Mr. Mounir Mahi Director of the National Archives fonds
- 1988-2001 Mr. Aoumeur Ammour Director of the National Archives (in charge)
- 2001-2002 Mr. Boumedien Larsaoui Director of the National Archives Center (in charge)
- 2022-2023 Mr. Abdelmadjid Chikhi Director General of the National Archives
- 2021 to the present day Mr. Mohamed Tiliouine Director of the National Archives Center.