 Soon after the outbreak of the Algerian War of Independence in 1954, he joined the Front de libération nationale (FLN) resistance movement, where his military command experience guaranteed him an important role.He headed the rebellion in FLN's Wilaya I -- an area which included the Tébessa region—and was later promoted colonel in the Armée de libération nationale (ALN), FLN's armed wing.When the FLN created its government-in-exile (GPRA) in 1958, Chérif was made minister of armament and materiel under Abbas's presidency, until a 1960 reshuffle.