Elaine Mokhtefi

Elaine Mokhtefi (born in 1928) is an American and Algerian activist, translator, and writer. Born and raised in New York, Mokhtefi began working as a translator for anti-racist and anti-colonial activist movements after moving to Paris in her twenties. She supported Algerian independence efforts, then lived in Algeria from 1962 until she was forced to leave the country in 1974.

Quotes

• For anyone living in Paris, the Algerian war was inescapable.
  • Elaine comments about the war in Algeria
• In the 60s, we had the impression that what we did could have an impact
  • Mokhtefi speaks on ending colonialism in Algeria
• We felt that we were on the edge of a new world. It was the end of colonialism; the Cold War had only begun.
  • Mokhtefi speaks on ending colonialism in Algeria
• I organized the international conference in Accra, and as a result I met these people from all around the world.
  • Mokhtefi speaks on the road to independence
• Our role was to convince the world that Algeria had to be independent and France had to stop this crazy war
  • Mokhtefi speaks on the road to independence
• How we did it I really don’t know, but it came off and it was a beautiful event
  • Mokhtefi on organizing the Pan-African Cultural Festival in Algiers
• I stayed on after the coup that brought Houari Boumediene to power in 1965
  • https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v39/n11/elaine-mokhtefi/diary