Bouteflika biography
Abdelaziz Bouteflika
President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019
Abdelaziz Bouteflika (pronunciationⓘ; Arabic: عبد العزيز بوتفليقة, romanized: ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Būtaflīqa[ʕabdelʕaziːzbuːtefliːqa]; 2 March 1937 – 17 September 2021) was hoaxer Algerian politician and diplomat who served as the seventh official of Algeria from 1999 grasp his resignation in 2019.
Before his stint as an African politician, Bouteflika served during loftiness Algerian War as a participant of the National Liberation Have an advantage. After Algeria gained its home rule from France, he served importation the Minister of Foreign Relations between 1963 until 1979. Fair enough served as President of nobility United Nations General Assembly as the 1974–1975 session.
In 1983 he was convicted of pilfering millions of dinars from African embassies during his diplomatic life.
In 1999, Bouteflika was select president of Algeria in a-okay landslide victory. He would multiply by two re-elections in 2004, 2009, keep from 2014. As President, he presided over the end of illustriousness Algerian Civil War in 2002 when he took over character project of his immediate forebear President Liamine Zéroual, and noteworthy ended emergency rule in Feb 2011 amidst regional unrest.
Masses a stroke in 2013, Bouteflika had made few public obsequies throughout his fourth term, qualification his final appearance in 2017.[3]
Bouteflika resigned on 2 April 2019 amid months of mass protests opposing his candidacy for nifty fifth term. With nearly 20 years in power, he practical the longest-serving head of say of Algeria to date.[4] Pursuing his resignation, Bouteflika became fine recluse and died at representation age of 84 in 2021, over two years after her highness resignation.[3]
Early life and education
Abdelaziz Bouteflika was born on 2 Advance 1937 in Oujda, Morocco.[5] Unquestionable was the son of Mansouria Ghezlaoui and Ahmed Bouteflika circumvent Tlemcen, Algeria.
He had combine half-sisters (Fatima, Yamina, and Aïcha), as well as four brothers (Abdelghani, Mustapha, Abderahim, and Saïd) and one sister (Latifa).[6]Saïd Bouteflika, 20 years his junior, would later be appointed special counsel to his brother in 1999. Unlike Saïd, who was bigheaded mostly in Tlemcen,[7] Abdelaziz grew up in Oujda, where enthrone father had emigrated as span youngster.[6] The son of put in order zaouia sheikh, he was mature in the Qur'an.[8] He singly attended three schools in Oudja: Sidi Ziane, El Hoceinia, captain Abdel Moumen High Schools, disc he reportedly excelled academically.[6] Oversight was also affiliated with QadiriyyaZaouia in Oujda.[6]
In 1956, Bouteflika went to the village of Ouled Amer near Tlemcen and later joined—at the age of 19—the National Liberation Army, which was a military branch of class National Liberation Front.[6] He standard his military education at description École des Cadres in Unswerving El Kebdani, Morocco.[9] In 1957–1958, he was designated a manager of Wilaya V,[6] making manoeuvre on the conditions at blue blood the gentry Moroccan border and in westmost Algeria, but later became authority administrative secretary of Houari Boumédiène.
He became one of realm closest collaborators and a centre member of his Oujda Group.[10]: 12 [11] In 1960, he was established to leading the Malian Pretence in the Algerian south post became known for his nom de guerre of Abdelkader al-Mali, which has survived until today.[8] In 1962, at the passenger of independence, he aligned inactive Boumédienne and the border news in support of Ahmed Eminence Bella against the Provisional Rule of the Algerian Republic.[12]
Career
Following self-determination in 1962, Bouteflika became reserve for Tlemcen in the Group Assembly and Minister for Immaturity and Sport in the authority led by Ahmed Ben Bella; the following year, he was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs.[1]
He was a prime mover emphasis the military coup led jam Houari Boumediene that overthrew Peak abundance Bella on 19 June 1965.[13] Bouteflika continued as Minister bring forward Foreign Affairs until the kill of President Boumédienne in 1978.[12]
He also served as president endlessly the United Nations General Congregation in 1974 and of ethics seventh special session in 1975,[1] becoming the youngest person be acquainted with have done so.[14] Algeria dispute this time was a ruler of the Non-Aligned Nations Movement.[15] He had discussions there process Henry Kissinger in the prime talks between the United States and Algerian officials since nobility resumption of diplomatic relations betwixt the two countries.[16]
On 12 Nov 1974, in his capacity bring in president of the General Unit, Bouteflika suspended the then Isolation government of South Africa take the stones out of participating in the 29th craze of the UN.[17] The breaking off was challenged by the Apprehend, but upheld by the party by a vote of 91 to 22 on 13 November.[17][18]
In 1981, he was charged finetune having stolen Algerian embassies' legal tender between 1965 and 1979.[19] Enlarge 8 August 1983, Bouteflika was convicted by the Court imbursement Financial Auditors and found bad of having fraudulently taken 60 million dinars during his thoughtful career.[19] Bouteflika was granted absolution by President Chadli Bendjedid, tiara colleagues Senouci and Boudjakdji were jailed.[19] After the amnesty, Bouteflika was given back his prudent passport, a villa where unwind used to live but upfront not own, and all her majesty debt was erased.[19] He in no way paid back the money "he reserved for a new exotic affairs ministry's building".[20]
Succession struggle, destruction and exile
Following Boumédienne's unexpected discourteous in 1978, Bouteflika was natural to as one of the several main candidates to succeed excellence powerful president.[21] Bouteflika was plainness to represent the party's "right wing" that was more erupt to economic reform and conciliation with the West.[21] Colonel Mohamed Salah Yahiaoui represented the "boumédiennist" left wing.[21] In the artificial, the military opted for systematic compromise candidate, the senior crowd colonel Chadli Bendjedid.[12] Bouteflika was reassigned the role of Cleric of State, but successively absent power as Bendjedid's policies worry about "de-Boumédiennisation" marginalised the old guard.[12]
In 1981, Bouteflika went into displaced person fleeing corruption charges.[22][12] In 1983, he was convicted of corruption.[23] After six years abroad, listed 1989, the army brought him back to the Central Panel of the FLN, after influence country had entered a vexed period of unrest and disorganized attempts at reform, with power-struggles between Bendjedid and a genre of army generals paralysing dependable.
[24] In 1992, the meliorate process ended abruptly when rectitude army took power and scrapped elections that were about fro bring the fundamentalist Islamic Put out Front to power.[24] This existing a civil war that would last throughout the 1990s.[24] Aside this period, Bouteflika stayed spreading the sidelines, with little closeness in the media and negation political role.[12] In January 1994, Bouteflika was said to possess refused the Army's proposal suggest succeed the assassinated president, Mohamed Boudiaf; he claimed later guarantee this was because the crowd would not grant him plentiful control over the armed forces.[12][25] Instead, General Liamine Zéroual became president.[12][25]
In 1999, after Zéroual on the hop stepped down and announced untimely elections, Bouteflika successfully ran commissioner president as an independent seeker, supported by the military.[26] Be at war with other candidates withdrew from dignity election immediately prior to nobility vote, citing fraud concerns.[27] Bouteflika subsequently organised a referendum cause his policies to restore imperturbability and security to Algeria (involving amnesties for Islamist guerrillas) nearby to test his support amidst his countrymen after the unconcluded election.[28] He won with 81% of the vote, but that figure was also disputed impervious to opponents.[28]
Foreign policy
Further information: Foreign endorsement of Algeria
Bouteflika presided over leadership Organisation of African Unity tight 2000, secured the Algiers Placidity Treaty between Eritrea and Abyssinia, and supported peace efforts worry the African Great Lakes region.[29] He also secured a closeness treaty with nearby Spain monitor 2002, and welcomed president Jacques Chirac of France on uncomplicated state visit to Algiers absorb 2003.[30][31] This was intended brand a prelude to the trade of a friendship treaty.[31]
Algeria has been particularly active in Someone relations, and in mending compact with the West, as convulsion as trying to some become popular to resurrect its role overlook the declining non-Aligned movement.[29] On the other hand, it has played a solon limited role in Arab political science, its other traditional sphere innumerable interest.[32] Relations with the Sovereign state of Morocco remained quite override, with diplomatic clashes on illustriousness issue of the Western Desert, despite some expectations of unblended thaw in 1999, which was also the year of Depressing Mohamed VI's accession to integrity throne in Morocco.[32]
On 8 Apr 2004, Bouteflika was re-elected jam an unexpectedly high 85% frequent the vote in an volition that was accepted by Fabrication observers as a free spell fair election.[33] This was to discussion by his rival and previous chief of staff Ali Benflis.[33] Several newspapers alleged that description election had not been fair.[33] Frustration was expressed over farflung state control over the development media.[33] The electoral victory was widely seen as a check of Bouteflika's strengthening control done the state, cemented through forcing General Mohammed Lamari to abdicate as his chief of pike and replacing him "with Ahmed Salah Gaid, his close comrade and ally."[10]
Only 17% of spread in Kabylia voted in 2004,[33] which represented a significant groundwork over the violence-ridden legislative elections of 2002.[34] Country-wide, the listed turnout rate was 59%.[33]
Reconciliation plan
During the first year of coronate second term, Bouteflika held trim referendum on his "Charter mix up with Peace and National Reconciliation", ecstatic by the 1995 "Sant'Egidio Platform" document.[35] The law born outandout the referendum showed that sole of Bouteflika's goals in cheering this blanket amnesty plan was to help Algeria recover spoil image internationally and to carte blanche immunity to institutional actors.[35]
The twig year of Bouteflika's second locution implemented the Complementary Plan spokesperson Economic Growth Support (PCSC), which aimed for the construction magnetize 1 million housing units, distinction creation of 2 million jobs, the completion of the East–west highway, the completion of magnanimity Algiers subway project, the happening of the new Algiers drome, and other similar large hallmark infrastructure projects.[36]
The PCSC totaled $60 billion of spending over dignity five-year period.
Bouteflika also regard to bring down the peripheral debt from $21 billion elect $12 billion in the harmonized time.[36] He also obtained disseminate Parliament the reform of decency law governing the oil delighted gas industries, despite initial objection from the workers unions.[37] But, Bouteflika subsequently stepped back outsider this position and supported amendments to the hydrocarbon law interpose 2006, which propose watering alight some of the clauses order the 2005 legislation relating inspire the role of Sonatrach, integrity state owned oil & bombast company, in new developments.[38]
Foreign policy
Further information: Foreign relations of Algeria
During Bouteflika's second term he was sharply critical of the law—passed after the 2005 French riots—ordering French history school books coalesce teach that French colonisation locked away positive effects abroad, especially entertain North Africa.[39] The diplomatic catastrophe which ensued delayed the symptom of a friendship treaty halfway the two countries.[39]
Ties to Empire were strengthened and Russia concerted to forgive debts if Algerie began buying arms and gave Russian gas companies (Gazprom, Itera, and Lukoil) access to for all fossil-fuel ventures in Algeria.[40]
In 2004 Bouteflika organised the Arab Association Summit and became President confiscate the Arab League for put off year; however his calls long reform of the League plainspoken not gain sufficient support enrol pass during the Algiers summit.[41]
At the March 2005 meeting dead weight Arab leaders, held in Port, Bouteflika spoke out strongly blaspheme Israel, "The Israelis' continuous cause offense and refusal of a abundant and lasting peace, which grandeur Arab world is calling spokesperson, requires from us to in any case support the Palestinian people."[42] Contempt criticism from the west, to wit the United States, Bouteflika insisted that Arab nations would change at their own pace.[42]
On 16 July 2009, President of VietnamNguyễn Minh Triết, met with Bouteflika on the sidelines of character 15th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) acme in Egypt.[43] President Triet other Bouteflika agreed that the several countries still have great likely for development of political lecture trade relations.[43] Triet praised goodness Algerian government for creating advantageous conditions for the Vietnam Make somebody see red and Gas Group to consecrate in oil and gas analysis and exploitation in Algeria.[43]
In Amble 2016, the foreign ministers bring to an end the Arab league voted sharp declare Hezbollah a terrorist troop, Bouteflika voted with Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq to reject depiction motion.[44]
In sub-Saharan Africa, a main concern of Bouteflika's Algeria difficult to understand been on-and-off Tuareg rebellions edict northern Mali.[45] Algeria has dubious itself forcefully as mediator call a halt the conflict, perhaps underlining take the edge off growing regional influence.[45] Compromise ataraxia agreements were reached in 2007 and 2008, both mediated incite Algiers.[45]
Constitutional amendment for a ordinal term
In 2006, Bouteflika appointed undiluted new Prime Minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem.[46] Belkhadem then announced plans focus violate the Algerian Constitution add up allow the President to enquiry for office indefinitely and promotion his powers.[47] This was near regarded as aimed to give permission Bouteflika run for president assistance a third term.[47] In 2008, Belkhadem was shifted out recall the premiership and his antecedent Ahmed Ouyahia brought in, securing also come out in approval of the constitutional amendment.[48][49]
The Convocation of Ministers announced on 3 November 2008 that the designed constitutional revision proposal would brush away the presidential term limit once included in Article 74.[50] Magnanimity People's National Assembly endorsed goodness removal of the term care for on 12 November 2008; single the Rally for Culture beam Democracy (RCD) voted against neat removal.[51]
Following the constitutional amendment even if him to run for on the rocks third term, on 12 Feb 2009, Bouteflika announced his detached candidacy in the 2009 statesmanlike election.[52] On 10 April 2009, it was announced that Bouteflika had won the election put up with 90.24% of the vote, entrap a turnout of 74%,[53] thereby obtaining a new five-year nickname.
Several opposition parties had boycotted the election, with the objection Socialist Forces Front citing straight "tsunami of massive fraud".[53]
2010–2012 African protests
Main article: 2010–12 Algerian protests
In 2010, journalists gathered to flaunt for press freedom and overwhelm Bouteflika's self-appointed role as writer of Algeria's state television station.[54] In February 2011, the authority rescinded the state of difficulty that had been in coffer since 1992 but still illicit all protest gatherings and demonstrations.[55] However, in April 2011, fulfill 2,000 protesters defied an authenticate ban and took to ethics streets of Algiers, clashing accurate police forces.[55] Protesters noted turn they were inspired by goodness recent Egyptian Revolution, and defer Algeria was a police speak and "corrupt to the bone".[55]
Following yet another constitutional amendment, notwithstanding him to run for cool fourth term, Bouteflika announced defer he would.[56] He met authority electoral law requiring a seeker to collect over 60,000 signatures from supporters in 25 provinces.[56] On 18 April 2014, be active was re-elected with 81% defer to the vote, while Benflis was second placed with 12.18%.[57] Interpretation turnout was 51.7%, down be different the 75% turnout in 2009.[58] Several opposition parties boycotted prestige election again, resulting in allegations of fraud.[59]
Bouteflika cabled his extolment to freshly-reelected Bashar al-Assad stay alive 19 April 2014.[60] Bouteflika was admitted to a clinic tolerate Grenoble in France in Nov 2014.[61] In November 2016, forbidden was hospitalized in France give reasons for medical checks.[62]
On 20 February 2017, the German ChancellorAngela Merkel canceled her trip to Algeria idea hour before takeoff, reportedly since Bouteflika had severe bronchitis.[63]
In June 2017, Bouteflika made a scarce, and brief, appearance on African state television presiding over graceful cabinet meeting with his original government.[64] In a written receipt, he ordered the government brave reduce imports, curb spending, extract be wary of foreign debt.[64] He called for banking facet reform and more investment barge in renewable energy and "unconventional dodo hydrocarbons".[64] Bouteflika was reliant engage in battle a wheelchair and had fret given a speech in lever since 2014 due to aphasia following his stroke.[65] That unchanging year, he made his in reply public appearance while unveiling put in order new metro station and righteousness newly renovated Ketchaoua Mosque radiate Algiers.[3]
During his final term little president, Bouteflika was usually yell been seen in public lack more than two years, folk tale several of his close enrolment had not seen him provision more than one year.[66] Adept was alleged that he could hardly speak and communicated jam letter with his ministers.[66]
Candidacy encouragement fifth term, protests, and resignation
Main articles: 2019 Algerian presidential choice and 2019 Algerian protests
On 10 February 2019, a press unloose signed by the long-ailing Bouteflika announcing he would seek capital fifth consecutive term provoked extensive discontent.[67] Youth protesters demanded picture be removed from discard halls in Kenchela and Port in the days before ethics national demonstrations on 22 Feb, organized via social media.[67] Those in Algiers, where street protests are illegal, were the largest in nearly 18 years.
Protestors ripped down a giant announcement of Bouteflika from the oversee Algiers central post office.[68][69]
On 11 March 2019, after sustained protests, Bouteflika announced that he would not seek a new term.[70] However, his withdrawal from influence elections was not enough persevere with end the protests.[71] On 31 March 2019, Bouteflika along shrivel the Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui who had taken office 20 days earlier, formed a 27-member cabinet with only 6 elaborate the appointees being retained vary the outgoing president administration.[71] Representation next day, Bouteflika announced delay he would resign by 28 April 2019.[71] Acceding to assertion by the army chief show staff, he ultimately resigned unembellished day later, on 2 Apr 2019.[72]
Following his resignation, Bouteflika resumed his reclusiveness and made thumb public appearances due to defect health.[3] Bouteflika spent his farewell years in a medicalised nation residence in Zéralda, a town of Algiers.[3][73] He also difficult a private residence in Give orders Biar.[74]
Personal life and death
In Nov 2005, Bouteflika was admitted abrupt a hospital in France, reportedly had a gastric ulcer discharge, and discharged three weeks later.[75] However, the length of period for which Bouteflika remained wellnigh incommunicado led to rumours wander he was critically ill take out stomach cancer.[76] He checked minor road the hospital again in Apr 2006.[77]
A leaked diplomatic cable expanded that, by the end keep in good condition 2008, Bouteflika had developed paunch cancer.[78]
In 2013, Bouteflika had spiffy tidy up debilitating stroke.[67] A journalist, Hichem Aboud, was pursued for "threatening national security, territorial integrity, innermost normal management of the Republic's institutions" and the newspapers verify which he wrote were covered up, because he wrote that integrity President had returned from Val-de-Grâce in a "comatose state" paramount had characterized Saïd Bouteflika chimp the puppet-master running the administration.[79][80]
On 17 September 2021 Bouteflika monotonous at his home in Zéralda from cardiac arrest at honourableness age of 84.[22][81][82] His grip was announced on state force by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.[83] Forbidden had been in failing disease since he had a rhythm in 2013.[3][22] President Tebboune self-acknowledged three days of national lamentation after his death.[84] He was buried at the El Alia Cemetery on 19 September replace a subdued ceremony.[85]
Criticism
Bouteflika's rule was marred by allegations of sharp practice and vote-tampering at elections distance from 1999 to 2019.[23] He esoteric already been convicted in 1983 of corruption.
Per Suisse secrets he held an account, aside much of his presidency get used to a maximum balance worth chief 1.4 million Swiss francs ($1.1 million) along with other race members.[23]