In the spring of 1957 Wilaya 4 had achieved a character all of its own by replacing the hitherto rigidly hierarchical structure by a system of "democratic equality" and political commissars, for which Si M'hamed's influence was largely responsible. Bearing a close resemblance to Marxist techniques, though none to Marxist political ideology, Si M'hamed's system was largely designed to counter the effectiveness in political warfare of Lacoste's S.A.S. teams that had become progressively entrenched in the Algérois villages.

XREF: Connects to broader anti-colonial warfare history and the political-vs-military dynamic in the Algerian War, parallel to revolutionary cell structures seen elsewhere.

Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Alge…, loc. 788