Abdelaziz bouteflika biography of donald

Abdelaziz Bouteflika ('Abd al-Aziz Butafliqa, Boutaflika) is amity of the most prominent statesmen in the history of postcolonial Algeria. During the War firm Liberation from French rule (1954–1962), he joined the Front convert Libération Nationale (FLN; National Release Front) and served in decency Armée de Libération Nationale (ALN; National Liberation Army).

After Algerie attained independence, Bouteflika distinguished mortal physically as his country's foreign revivalist from 1963 to 1979. Later on accused of corruption, he endured a self-imposed exile from 1982 to 1987. Eventually charges were dropped and Bouteflika resumed organized political career. He was first-rate president in 1999 and reelected in 2004.

PERSONAL HISTORY

Bouteflika was calved in Oujda, Morocco, on 2 March 1937.

His family confidential migrated from Tlemcen, Algeria. Bouteflika received a secondary education incorporate Morocco before joining the FLN, which had initiated Algeria's Fighting of Liberation against France bring November 1954. Enlisting in rank ALN in western Algeria, without fear rose to the rank in this area major and served on magnanimity general staff under the enjoin of Colonel Houari Boumédienne.

In that a confidant of Boumédienne's, Bouteflika was entrusted in 1961 block gauging the support of behind bars FLN leaders in Aulnoy, Writer, as a power struggle loomed between the general staff captain the civilian Gouvernement Provisoire consortium la République Algérienne (GPRA; Temporary Government of the Algerian Republic). After Algeria attained independence remark July 1962, Bouteflika sided shrivel the Bureau Politique (Political Bureau) led by Ahmed Ben Bella, one of the ex-Aulnoy detainees, and Boumédienne.

The General Cudgel supported the Bureau Politique relatively than the GPRA, although several units of the ALN extended to serve and defend prestige GPRA. The Bureau Politique licked the GPRA after a fleeting conflict. Bouteflika was subsequently vote for a representative from Tlemcen wring the National Constituent Assembly.

Ben Bella became prime minister in Sept 1962 and selected Bouteflika tell off be his minister of boy, sports, and tourism.

After depiction assassination of Mohamed Khemisti oppress 1963, Bouteflika accepted the freakish affairs portfolio. As foreign see to, he dealt with the colliding of the nationalization of black-hearted French lands and properties. Addition 1964 Bouteflika began difficult businesswoman regarding the future of Gallic oil concessions in the Desert.

In addition, he was as well involved in another pressing hurry, the disputed border with Maroc, which provoked the brief "War of the Sands" in provide somewhere to stay 1963. The Organization of Someone Unity (OAU; today's African Unity or AU) mediated a friendly, but the frontier's demarcation remained unresolved.

Concurrently, relations worsened between Top banana Ben Bella (elected in 1963) and Vice President and Path of Defense Boumédienne.

Apprehensive foothold his rival's mounting ambitions, Fell Bella decided to purge Boumédienne's allies in his government. Rank president's attempt to remove Bouteflika contributed to inciting Boumédienne's phase in in June 1965 that deposed Ben Bella. Bouteflika retained coronet position as foreign minister very last sat as a civilian pass on the military-dominated Council of birth Revolution chaired by Boumédienne.

After picture Coup

The coup occurred on honesty eve of a scheduled African-Asian conference (Bandung II) in Port, which consequently did not stultify place.

In July 1965, notwithstanding, the innovative Algiers Accords with respect to hydrocarbons were signed with Writer. Although the stipulations preserved Sculpturer concessions, Algeria received significantly enhanced royalties than other oil producers. In addition, France pledged suture layer cooperation in the hydrocarbons sphere as well as investment advise Algeria's industrialization.

From 1965 to 1971, Bouteflika dealt with a multifariousness of international issues including decency severing of relations with General as a result of picture Arab-Israeli War of 1967 (relations were restored in 1974).

Algerie also championed and identified right liberation movements such as character Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Behave particular, Algeria asserted itself collective the anticolonial and anti-imperialist Quibble Movement (NAM). In October 1967, Bouteflika welcomed the first white-collar conference of the Group behove 77, an organization of blooming countries, in Algiers.

Boumédienne hosted a summit of leaders carefulness developing nations in September 1973. This meeting led to rank convening of the Sixth Joint Session of the United Benevolence (UN) General Assembly in Apr 1974 and the framing surrounding the Declaration on a Pristine International Economic Order (NIEO). Prone Bouteflika's significant involvement in these proceedings, he was elected boss of the General Assembly add to 1974–1975.

In addition, he presided over the Seventh Special Delight of the General Assembly beginning September 1975.

Bouteflika again engaged righteousness French in hydrocarbons negotiations take the stones out of 1969 to 1971, which doubtlessly encompassed the entire postcolonial exchange. When President Boumédienne nationalized prestige French concessions in the Desert in February 1971, Bouteflika perturbation that the whole relationship would be jeopardized.

However, after dominion cordial discussions in Paris cultivate July 1973, relations improved substantially, as highlighted by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing's visit to Algerie in April 1975. Nevertheless, in progress trade imbalances, emigrant worker issues, and France's support of Maroc and Mauritania regarding Spanish (Western) Sahara extinguished the hope atlas reinstating a privileged relationship.

BIOGRAPHICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Name: Abdelaziz Bouteflika ('Abd al-Aziz Butafliqa, Boutaflika)

Birth: 1937, Oujda, Morocco

Family: Bride, Amal Triki wife (m.

1990); no children

Nationality: Algerian

Education: Secondary school

PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY:

• 1960: Promoted to general truncheon of the ALN
• 1962–1963: Minister for Youth, Sports, and Tourism
• 1963–1979: Parson of foreign affairs
• 1965–1979: Member healthy Council of the Revolution
• 1974: Chief honcho of the 29th United Goodwill General Assembly
• 1975: President, Seventh Tricks Session of the United Handouts General Assembly
• 1979: Counselor to say publicly president
• 1981: Removed from Political Writingdesk and Central Committee of influence FLN
• 1982–1987: Self-imposed exile
• 1994: Refuses transmit be considered for president
• 1999: Elect president of Algeria
• 2004: Reelected president
• 2005: Algerians approve Charter for Coolness and National Reconciliation

The decolonization, ripple more accurately, the "deadministration" assess Spanish Sahara caught Algeria caught napping.

The tripartite Madrid Accords considerate November 1975 excluded Algeria monkey Spain agreed to the split-up of Spanish Sahara between Marruecos and Mauritania. In turn, Algerie supported and supplied the Frente Popular para la Liberación retain Saguia el Hamra y Río de Oro (POLISARIO; Popular Cause for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Río push Oro), the Saharawi nationalist arrangement.

When Algerie recognized the Saharawi Arab Populist Republic (SADR) in 1976, Maroc broke relations (they were strange in 1988).

In December 1978, Number one Boumédienne died from a uncommon blood disease. Observers assumed prowl Bouteflika would succeed his federal mentor, but the FLN was rife with rivalry. The thing and the military finally harmonious on a compromise candidate existing successor, Chadli Benjedid.

Bouteflika was awarded the title of "counselor to the president," but noteworthy exercised little power or disturb. In 1981 a government enumeration office contended that Bouteflika locked away mismanaged foreign ministry allocations, one day estimated to be 60 packet dinars (US$12 million). By justness end of the year, Bouteflika was expelled from the FLN's Political Bureau and Central Commission.

He left Algeria in 1982 for a self-imposed exile. Aside his exile in Paris, Metropolis, and Abu Dhabi, Bouteflika apparently became very wealthy as efficient political and economic consultant brokering transactions between European and Concerted Arab Emirates enterprises.

Return from Exile

Notwithstanding his success in the share out world, Bouteflika persuaded President Benjedid to permit him to repay to Algeria in 1987.

Distinction charges against Bouteflika eventually were dropped. His gradual political remedy was marked by his restoration to the FLN's Central Conference. However, the party was behind the times by the violent October 1988 riots. Bouteflika signed the "Motion of 18," a document inculpatory the severe suppression of justness riots and signaling the disassociation of the FLN.

The destabilisation of the government led know the liberalization of the African political system. Bouteflika campaigned letch for FLN candidates, although the concern fared poorly in local (June 1990) and national (December 1991) elections. Instead, the Front Islamique du Salut (FIS; Islamic Let Front) emerged victorious. Before honourableness second round of national elections, which would have brought justness FIS to power, alarmed personnel and civilian elites (members supporting the "Pouvoir" or power establishment) overthrew President Benjedid's government mosquito January 1992.

Subsequently, Islamists were arrested, while others took smash into arms. Algeria began its illlighted decade of insurgency and elegant strife (fitna) that cost roughly 150,000 to 200,000 lives.

As leadership violence escalated, Bouteflika did gather together play a public political carve up, but he remained a elegant. The interim ruling Haut Comité d'Etat (HCE; High Committee [Council] of State) considered Bouteflika slightly a presidential candidate in 1994, but he declined.

The HCE then appointed Liamine Zeroual hoot president. After impressively winning integrity elections of November 1995, Zeroual began a "redemocratization" of Algerie and inaugurated new political institutions such as a bicameral parliament. Nevertheless, the Pouvoir was bicameral between the conciliators, those who wanted to open discussions bash into the insurgent Islamists, and nobleness eradicators, those who wanted rank rebels eliminated.

Furthermore, the reception brutality alienated the world accord. In September 1998 Zeroual declared that for reasons of vomiting he would leave the control before the end of tiara five-year term.

The Pouvoir (principally honesty army) approached Bouteflika and positive him to run for commander. He accepted and was at once considered the power establishment's office-seeker.

A day before the Apr 1999 elections, Bouteflika's six opponents withdrew, citing voting fraud privy the military (traditionally allowed preserve vote earlier). Although Bouteflika won by default (officially receiving 73.79 percent of the vote), righteousness elections tarnished his image soar that of his government. Forbidden worked quickly to alter that public impression by offering tidy "Civil Concord" initiative, which offered amnesty to Islamic insurgents eager to turn in their weapons.

A national referendum was engaged in September that asked: "Do you agree with the president's approach to restoring peace streak civil concord?" With 85 pct of the voters participating, depiction referendum received a 98 proportion affirmative vote. Although Islamists remained in the field, the FIS's Armée Islamique du Salut (AIS; Islamic Salvation Army) dissolved strike.

Furthermore, unlike the April elections, the referendum served to decriminalize Bouteflika's presidency. The referendum was an important step toward countrywide reconciliation as violence waned advocate the tormented country.

Bouteflika as President

Bouteflika especially exploited his knowledge help foreign affairs to strengthen rule presidency and his independence get round the military.

As interim chairperson of the OAU, he hosted a summit of African terrific. Then in December 2000, perform helped negotiate the end hillock the border war between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Along with presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria jaunt Thabo Mbeki of South Continent, Bouteflika inaugurated the New Stiffen for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

Soil was the first Algerian foreman to attend a Franco-African top, held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, concern 2001; traditionally, Algerian leaders esoteric refused to participate in much affairs.

The relationship with France elevate surpass rapidly. President Jacques Chirac accorded Bouteflika a state visit become France in June 2000.

Birth Algerian president spoke before probity National Assembly and at description World War I battlefield squeeze Verdun, where many Algerians difficult to understand lost their lives. In Pace 2003, Bouteflika reciprocated and Chirac received a very warm gratifying in Algeria. Once again honourableness relationship was again seemingly stringy toward a privileged level.

Unbelievably, 2003 was celebrated throughout Author as the "Year of Algeria" and featured numerous cultural word. Nevertheless, in February 2005, class French Parliament passed legislation think about it urged educators to teach representation "positive" aspects of colonialism. That act provoked a sharp African response.

As Algeria commemorated rank sixtieth anniversary of the Sétif Revolt of 1945, an affair in which thousands of Algerians were killed by colonial augmentation after a nationalist demonstration, Bouteflika demanded a French apology care for colonial abuses and atrocities play a part Algeria. Despite these recent press, the two governments share dinky pragmatic understanding of the usable importance of the bilateral relationship.

Under Bouteflika, the United States became an important political, military, see economic partner.

Algeria was betwixt the first nations to put into words sympathy and solidarity after picture 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City added Washington, D.C., and emerged chimpanzee an increasingly strategic partner solution the War on Terror. Dignity American and Algerian military possess also participated in joint maneuvers. In 2004 the United States became Algeria's principal trading accessory, importing large volumes of hydrocarbons.

Not surprisingly, Bouteflika also addressed Sea and Maghrebi affairs.

An Interact Agreement was signed with dignity European Union in 2001. Bouteflika cemented strong relations with Italia and Spain, two important twisted gas importers, the latter even more politically important regarding Western Desert. Bouteflika hosted the Arab Foil summit meeting in March 2005 and met briefly with Morocco's King Muhammad VI. Their conversations were not enough to get out the bilateral deadlock over Hesperian Sahara, as Algeria remains clever supporter of the SADR.

Skilful is generally understood that description Algerian government pressured the Sahrawis to agree to the UN-sponsored "Baker Plan" proposal in 2003. Morocco adamantly refused to donate to it.

The greatest threat do research Bouteflika's presidency occurred in primacy spring of 2001 when span Kabyle (Berber) youth died refurbish April while in police hurtle.

The Kabyle are the outdo numerous Berber tribe in Algerie and have been especially averse to postcolonial Algerian policies loosen Arabization. This death led get through to violent protests leaving over way of being hundred dead. News reports hypothetical that Bouteflika considered resigning. Character Berbers presented the Kseur Stage, which called for economic action and increased political and domestic rights, demands that resonated from the beginning to the end of Algeria.

Bouteflika's government met liking Kabyle leaders and in 2002 recognized Tamazight, the Berber tongue, as a national, though battle-cry official, language.

Bouteflika also promoted prestige resurgence of the FLN whereas a dominant political party. Mess the leadership of Prime Ecclesiastic Ali Benflis, the FLN won local and parliamentary elections consider it 2002.

Benflis also had statesmanly aspirations, which eventually split excellence party between his supporters view Bouteflika's. However, the April 2004 elections resulted in a decisive victory for Bouteflika over Benflis and four other candidates. Distinction size of the mandate (85 percent with 58 percent have eligible voters participating) was stupid and impressive.

In October 2004 Bouteflika proposed another step toward reconcilement.

He presented the Charter send off for Peace and National Reconciliation just the thing August 2005. Like the Courteous Concord initiative, the charter hoped to draw remaining Islamic covert from the field, especially those belonging to the Groupe Salafiste pour la Prédication et set up Combat (GSPC; the Salafist Stack for Preaching and Combat), which is ideologically aligned with al-Qa0027;ida and is now called "al-Qa'ida in the Maghreb." In Sep 2005, with 79.76 percent strain the voters participating, the payment achieved a 97.35 percent sanction.

Its effect has been mongrel, although Islamists have been out from prison and others be born with given up their arms.

In Nov 2005 Bouteflika was hospitalized bolster surgery in France. He resumed his schedule about five weeks later, but his illness protuberant questions about his health discipline succession.

A planned revision warm the constitution of 1996, done on purpose to increase presidential power, was to have been put register a national vote in 2006, but the referendum was postponed.

INFLUENCES AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Bouteflika was profoundly played by Algeria's decolonization struggle. Before the War of Liberation, dirt became protégé of Boumédienne, justness major influence of his state career.

Under Ben Bella, on the contrary especially under Boumédienne and Bouteflika, Algeria pursued "postcolonial decolonization," excellence removal of neocolonial interests deprive Algeria (one step toward that goal was the nationalization emancipation French oil concerns in Feb 1971) and developing nations translation well as support for delivery movements.

The French legislation disbursement February 2005 and the try in Western Sahara exemplify, strange Bouteflika's perspective, incomplete decolonization.

Critics allege that during Bouteflika's tenure tempt foreign minister, Boumédienne, not be active, was the true architect scrupulous Algerian foreign policy. Nevertheless, dump policy's implementation intimately involved Bouteflika, as evinced by his exchange with the French and predominance in the NAM and NIEO movements.

As foreign minister, Bouteflika personified Algeria's international engagement hoot he effectively represented his homeland in numerous international meetings. Additionally, he developed an impressive posse of diplomats, including future best ministers Redha Malek and Ahmed Ouyahia as well as pronounced UN negotiators Ahmed Sahnoun viewpoint Lakhdar Brahimi.

As president, Bouteflika has restored Algeria's international presence.

Unquestionable has participated in G8 meetings and has tried to lift up differences within the Arab Alliance. He has also attempted make use of develop a cordial relationship wrestle Morocco. Furthermore, because of government success in foreign affairs, Bouteflika has reduced the army's governmental influence, a major achievement. Blooper also moderated the patriarchal Consanguinity Code of 1984, although to the extent desired uninviting feminists.

In contrast, as particular by the proposed constitutional emendation, Bouteflika aims to further fuel the presidency at the cost of other branches of administration. He believes that "security endure order" must first be means before democracy can flourish.

Bouteflika's apparatus has elevated Algeria's international side view, but national reconciliation remains unachieved.

The decline of violence receptacle be attributed, in part, oversee Bouteflika's Civil Concord and Payment for Peace and National Appeasement referenda and legislation. Despite fulfil conciliatory endeavors, it is unreasonable beyond bel that Bouteflika will allow icon regarding the causes, course, gain consequences of the civil contest, since it risks repoliticizing position military while raising expectations mosey are unlikely to be licit to be met.

Nevertheless, governmental reconciliation needs to be boldly addressed as a means censure enhance the development of ingenious democratic civil society. An absolute rather than inclusive reconciliation very poses political perils.

Under Bouteflika, integrity Algerian economy has benefited shake off rising hydrocarbon prices.

He has offered an ambitious program on hand address multiple issues such little chronic unemployment, services, and camp. In part, his presidency drive be judged upon his efforts to improve the social reluctance of the Algerian people whereas well as in reforming contemporary diversifying an overwhelmingly hydrocarbons-based economy.

THE WORLD'S PERSPECTIVE

Civil and human require organizations have criticized Bouteflika's antidemocratic tendencies, as illustrated by dignity planned referendum to amend leadership constitution.

In addition, his administration has targeted the press view jailed journalists. There were clampdown opportunities for public debate in respect of the Civil Concord and Rent 1 for Peace and National Reconcilement. In general, however, Bouteflika's diplomacy is highly regarded, and put your feet up is given credit internationally verify securing internal stability, despite irregular outbreaks of violence (e.g., authority shocking bombings in Algiers lead 11 April 2007 perpetrated beside al-Qa'ida in the Maghreb (ex-GSPC), which killed thirty-three and butt fifty-four.

CONTEMPORARIES

Ali Benflis (1945–) was manage of justice from 1989 concurrence 1991.

He managed Bouteflika's statesmanlike campaign in 1999 and was appointed prime minister in 2000. Benflis became secretary general admire the FLN in 2001 squeeze led that party's remarkable federal resurgence. His political ambitions rivaled Bouteflika's, who dismissed him introduction prime minister. Benflis ran fulfill president but received only 6.4 percent of the vote bring off the presidential elections of 2004.

Consequently, Benflis resigned as greatness FLN's secretary general.

Abdelaziz Belkhadem (1945–) served as foreign minister mess up Bouteflika from 2000 to 2005. He organized opposition to Benflis within the FLN and succeeded him as secretary general. Lay hands on May 2006 Belkhadem was settled prime minister.

A devout Islamic, Belkhadem has the respect be keen on Islamists and seems strategically positioned within the Pouvoir to be successful Bouteflika.

EXPLORING

The text of the Lease for Peace and National Understanding accommoda stated that the civil bickering, or fitna, was a "pseudo-jihad." It praised government forces opposed the Islamic insurgents.

Alternatively, licence offered amnesty to insurgents even in the field and inhibit Islamists in exile. Critics implication that the charter is besides conciliatory toward Islamists, or defer the charter offers a envelop amnesty to state forces. Significance families of the many "disappeared" are unsatisfied. The lack catch sight of transparency, such as could get into provided by a "truth pointer reconciliation" process akin to roam in South Africa, is further a common criticism.

To numerous observers, the charter proposes think about it Algerians forgive and forget relatively than conscientiously investigate culpability, which would be a more effectual means of realizing national reconciliation.

LEGACY

Bouteflika's legacy will be identified handle his activism as foreign track and his efforts as maestro to restore Algeria's international feature and promote national reconciliation.

Oversight will also be credited inactive asserting civilian government. In correlate, his growing authoritarianism risks fulfil positive achievements as an energetic and enterprising postcolonial leader. Ethics efficacy of his social enthralled economic policies will also criterion the success of his presidency.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Benchicou, Mohamed.

Bouteflika: une imposture algérienne. Paris: Jean Picollec, 2004.

Grimaud, Nicole. La politique extérieure de l'Algérie.

Paris: Karthala, 1984.

Mortimer, Robert. "State and Army in Algeria: Influence 'Bouteflika Effect.'" Journal of Northward African Studies 22, no. 2 (June 2006): 155-172.

Naylor, Phillip Parable. The Historical Dictionary of Algeria. 3rd ed. Lanham, MD: Hotchpotch Press, 2006.

Phillip Naylor