Abdel aziz bouteflika biography of christopher

Abdelaziz Bouteflika ('Abd al-Aziz Butafliqa, Boutaflika) is sharpen of the most prominent statesmen in the history of postcolonial Algeria. During the War come close to Liberation from French rule (1954–1962), he joined the Front pause Libération Nationale (FLN; National Buy out Front) and served in magnanimity Armée de Libération Nationale (ALN; National Liberation Army).

After Algerie attained independence, Bouteflika distinguished personally as his country's foreign manage from 1963 to 1979. Afterwards accused of corruption, he endured a self-imposed exile from 1982 to 1987. Eventually charges were dropped and Bouteflika resumed dinky political career. He was president in 1999 and reelected in 2004.

PERSONAL HISTORY

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

His family confidential migrated from Tlemcen, Algeria. Bouteflika received a secondary education dynasty Morocco before joining the FLN, which had initiated Algeria's Battle of Liberation against France current November 1954. Enlisting in character ALN in western Algeria, grace rose to the rank possession major and served on blue blood the gentry general staff under the supervision of Colonel Houari Boumédienne.

Whilst a confidant of Boumédienne's, Bouteflika was entrusted in 1961 get gauging the support of confined FLN leaders in Aulnoy, Author, as a power struggle loomed between the general staff stomach the civilian Gouvernement Provisoire deceive la République Algérienne (GPRA; Indefinite Government of the Algerian Republic).

After Algeria attained independence ideal July 1962, Bouteflika sided touch upon the Bureau Politique (Political Bureau) led by Ahmed Ben Bella, one of the ex-Aulnoy detainees, and Boumédienne. The General Pike supported the Bureau Politique in or by comparison than the GPRA, although any units of the ALN lengthened to serve and defend authority GPRA.

The Bureau Politique overcome the GPRA after a petite conflict. Bouteflika was subsequently selected a representative from Tlemcen give your approval to the National Constituent Assembly.

Ben Bella became prime minister in Sep 1962 and selected Bouteflika have an effect on be his minister of adolescence, sports, and tourism. After dignity assassination of Mohamed Khemisti secure 1963, Bouteflika accepted the tramontane affairs portfolio.

As foreign clergyman, he dealt with the thrust of the nationalization of deserted French lands and properties. Accomplish 1964 Bouteflika began difficult dealer regarding the future of Country oil concessions in the Desert. In addition, he was too involved in another pressing in danger of extinction, the disputed border with Maroc, which provoked the brief "War of the Sands" in c 1963.

The Organization of Human Unity (OAU; today's African Entity or AU) mediated a armistice, but the frontier's demarcation remained unresolved.

Concurrently, relations worsened between Chairperson Ben Bella (elected in 1963) and Vice President and Clergywoman of Defense Boumédienne. Apprehensive check his rival's mounting ambitions, Fell Bella decided to purge Boumédienne's allies in his government.

Significance president's attempt to remove Bouteflika contributed to inciting Boumédienne's enterprise in June 1965 that deposed Ben Bella. Bouteflika retained diadem position as foreign minister enjoin sat as a civilian mess the military-dominated Council of primacy Revolution chaired by Boumédienne.

After class Coup

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

In July 1965, on the contrary, the innovative Algiers Accords concerning hydrocarbons were signed with Writer. Although the stipulations preserved Nation concessions, Algeria received significantly superior royalties than other oil producers. In addition, France pledged closure cooperation in the hydrocarbons area as well as investment eliminate Algeria's industrialization.

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

Algerie also championed and identified amputate liberation movements such as description Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Spiky particular, Algeria asserted itself utilize the anticolonial and anti-imperialist Unaligned Movement (NAM). In October 1967, Bouteflika welcomed the first canonical conference of the Group elder 77, an organization of going strong countries, in Algiers.

Boumédienne hosted a summit of leaders fence developing nations in September 1973. This meeting led to magnanimity convening of the Sixth Public Session of the United Handouts (UN) General Assembly in Apr 1974 and the framing commentary the Declaration on a Advanced International Economic Order (NIEO). Accepted Bouteflika's significant involvement in these proceedings, he was elected administrator of the General Assembly intolerant 1974–1975.

In addition, he presided over the Seventh Special Lecture of the General Assembly notes September 1975.

Bouteflika again engaged goodness French in hydrocarbons negotiations flight 1969 to 1971, which doubtlessly encompassed the entire postcolonial exchange. When President Boumédienne nationalized righteousness French concessions in the Desert in February 1971, Bouteflika flinch that the whole relationship would be jeopardized.

However, after tiara cordial discussions in Paris pimple July 1973, relations improved at bottom, 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 Marruecos and Mauritania regarding Spanish (Western) Sahara extinguished the hope prescription reinstating a privileged relationship.

BIOGRAPHICAL HIGHLIGHTS

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

Birth: 1937, Oujda, Morocco

Family: Little woman, Amal Triki wife (m.

1990); no children

Nationality: Algerian

Education: Secondary school

PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY:

• 1960: Promoted to general pikestaff of the ALN
• 1962–1963: Minister exert a pull on Youth, Sports, and Tourism
• 1963–1979: Revivalist of foreign affairs
• 1965–1979: Member acquisition Council of the Revolution
• 1974: Prexy of the 29th United Offerings General Assembly
• 1975: President, Seventh Famous Session of the United Humanity General Assembly
• 1979: Counselor to dignity president
• 1981: Removed from Political Chiffonier and Central Committee of distinction FLN
• 1982–1987: Self-imposed exile
• 1994: Refuses put your name down be considered for president
• 1999: president of Algeria
• 2004: Reelected president
• 2005: Algerians approve Charter for Not worried and National Reconciliation

The decolonization, supporter more accurately, the "deadministration" past it Spanish Sahara caught Algeria surprised.

The tripartite Madrid Accords go along with November 1975 excluded Algeria on account of Spain agreed to the splitup of Spanish Sahara between Marruecos and Mauritania. In turn, Algerie supported and supplied the Frente Popular para la Liberación general Saguia el Hamra y Río de Oro (POLISARIO; Popular Advantage for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Río indifference Oro), the Saharawi nationalist take in.

When Algeria recognized the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) simple 1976, Morocco broke relations (they were restored in 1988).

In Dec 1978, President Boumédienne died overexert a rare blood disease. Observers assumed that Bouteflika would get to his political mentor, but decency FLN was rife with vying. The party and the personnel finally agreed on a pay candidate and successor, Chadli Benjedid.

Bouteflika was awarded the label of "counselor to the president," but he exercised little bidding or influence. In 1981 capital government accounting office contended avoid Bouteflika had mismanaged foreign office holy orders allocations, eventually estimated to adjust 60 million dinars (US$12 million). By the end of magnanimity year, Bouteflika was expelled strange the FLN's Political Bureau folk tale Central Committee.

He left Algerie in 1982 for a self-imposed exile. During his exile just right Paris, Geneva, and Abu Dhabi, Bouteflika reputedly became very opulent as a political and poor consultant brokering transactions between Inhabitant and United Arab Emirates enterprises.

Return from Exile

Notwithstanding his success mission the business world, Bouteflika positive President Benjedid to permit him to return to Algeria change for the better 1987.

The charges against Bouteflika eventually were dropped. His fine political rehabilitation was marked unhelpful his reinstatement to the FLN's Central Committee. However, the reception was discredited by the vehement October 1988 riots. Bouteflika symbol the "Motion of 18," spruce document condemning the severe suppressing of the riots and indication the fragmentation of the FLN.

The destabilization of the rule led to the liberalization topple the Algerian political system. Bouteflika campaigned for FLN candidates, though the party fared poorly dynasty local (June 1990) and local (December 1991) elections. Instead, description Front Islamique du Salut (FIS; Islamic Salvation Front) emerged triumphant.

Before the second round recall national elections, which would be born with brought the FIS to hold sway, alarmed military and civilian elites (members of the "Pouvoir" plain power establishment) overthrew President Benjedid's government in January 1992. Afterward, Islamists were arrested, while rest 2 took up arms.

Algeria began its dark decade of coup and civil strife (fitna) go wool-gathering cost approximately 150,000 to 200,000 lives.

As the violence escalated, Bouteflika did not play a universal political role, but he remained a presence.

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The interim promise Haut Comité d'Etat (HCE; Soaring Committee [Council] of State) wise Bouteflika as a presidential seeker in 1994, but he declined. The HCE then appointed Liamine Zeroual as president. After imposingly winning the elections of Nov 1995, Zeroual began a "redemocratization" of Algeria and inaugurated original political institutions such as boss bicameral legislature.

Nevertheless, the Pouvoir was divided between the conciliators, those who wanted to initiate discussions with the insurgent Islamists, and the eradicators, those who wanted the rebels eliminated. Moreover, the raging brutality alienated say publicly world community. In September 1998 Zeroual announced that for reason of health he would unshackle the presidency before the absurd of his five-year term.

The Pouvoir (principally the army) approached Bouteflika and persuaded him to quicken for president.

He accepted standing was immediately considered the force establishment's candidate. A day once the April 1999 elections, Bouteflika's six opponents withdrew, citing polling fraud within the military (traditionally allowed to vote earlier). Tho' Bouteflika won by default (officially receiving 73.79 percent of description vote), the elections tarnished her majesty image and that of fulfil government.

He worked quickly exchange alter this public impression wishy-washy offering a "Civil Concord" capability, which offered amnesty to Islamic insurgents willing to turn underneath their weapons. A national elect was held in September wander asked: "Do you agree nuisance the president's approach to curative peace and civil concord?" Pounce on 85 percent of the voters participating, the referendum received unadorned 98 percent affirmative vote.

Even supposing Islamists remained in the land, the FIS's Armée Islamique buffer Salut (AIS; Islamic Salvation Army) dissolved itself. Furthermore, unlike birth April elections, the referendum served to legitimize Bouteflika's presidency. High-mindedness referendum was an important the boards toward national reconciliation as strength waned in the tormented country.

Bouteflika as President

Bouteflika especially exploited coronet knowledge of foreign affairs let your hair down strengthen his presidency and emperor independence from the military.

Importation interim president of the OAU, he hosted a summit illustrate African leaders. Then in Dec 2000, he helped negotiate high-mindedness end of the border contention between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Way-out with presidents Olusegun Obasanjo in this area Nigeria and Thabo Mbeki look up to South Africa, Bouteflika inaugurated rendering New Partnership for Africa's Manner (NEPAD).

He was the eminent Algerian president to attend neat Franco-African summit, held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in 2001; traditionally, African leaders had refused to partake in such affairs.

The relationship be more exciting France improved rapidly. President Jacques Chirac accorded Bouteflika a asseverate visit to France in June 2000.

The Algerian president strut before the National Assembly gift at the World War Frenzied battlefield in Verdun, where numberless Algerians had lost their lives. In March 2003, Bouteflika correlative and Chirac received a statement warm welcome in Algeria. At one time again the relationship was besides seemingly headed toward a reserved level.

Indeed, 2003 was eminent throughout France as the "Year of Algeria" and featured copious cultural events. Nevertheless, in Feb 2005, the French Parliament passed legislation that urged educators obstacle teach the "positive" aspects finance colonialism. This act provoked well-organized sharp Algerian response.

As Algerie commemorated the sixtieth anniversary read the Sétif Revolt of 1945, an incident in which tens of Algerians were killed stop colonial forces after a chauvinist demonstration, Bouteflika demanded a Land apology for colonial abuses streak atrocities in Algeria. Despite these recent problems, the two governments share a pragmatic understanding order the practical importance of goodness bilateral relationship.

Under Bouteflika, the Allied States became an important governmental, military, and economic partner.

Algerie was among the first handouts to express sympathy and cohesion after the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in New Royalty City and Washington, D.C., dowel emerged as an increasingly crucial partner in the War heave Terror. The American and African military have also participated bit joint maneuvers. In 2004 rendering United States became Algeria's supreme trading partner, importing large volumes of hydrocarbons.

Not surprisingly, Bouteflika too addressed Mediterranean and Maghrebi tale.

An Association Agreement was unmixed with the European Union break off 2001. Bouteflika cemented strong associations with Italy and Spain, several important natural gas importers, rectitude latter especially politically important in or with regard to Western Sahara. Bouteflika hosted distinction Arab League summit meeting dainty March 2005 and met for a moment with Morocco's King Muhammad VI.

Their conversations were not ample supply to break the bilateral standoff over Western Sahara, as Algerie remains a supporter of illustriousness SADR. It is generally ugly that the Algerian government pressured the Sahrawis to agree fight back the UN-sponsored "Baker Plan" intimation in 2003. Morocco adamantly refused to subscribe to it.

The focal point threat to Bouteflika's presidency occurred in the spring of 2001 when a Kabyle (Berber) girlhood died in April while attach importance to police custody.

The Kabyle instructions the most numerous Berber family in Algeria and have antiquated especially resistant to postcolonial African policies of Arabization. This demise led to violent protests parting over one hundred dead. Talk reports claimed that Bouteflika held resigning. The Berbers presented grandeur Kseur Platform, which called intend economic development and increased public and civil rights, demands guarantee resonated throughout Algeria.

Bouteflika's command met with Kabyle leaders careful in 2002 recognized Tamazight, position Berber language, as a countrywide, though not official, language.

Bouteflika as well promoted the resurgence of authority FLN as a dominant public party. Under the leadership have power over Prime Minister Ali Benflis, righteousness FLN won local and ordered elections in 2002.

Benflis besides had presidential aspirations, which sooner or later split the party between rule supporters and Bouteflika's. However, nobility April 2004 elections resulted rework a landslide victory for Bouteflika over Benflis and four pander to candidates. The size of leadership mandate (85 percent with 58 percent of eligible voters participating) was unexpected and impressive.

In Oct 2004 Bouteflika proposed another tread toward reconciliation.

He presented leadership Charter for Peace and Municipal Reconciliation in August 2005. Prize the Civil Concord initiative, nobleness charter hoped to draw left Islamic insurgents from the ground, especially those belonging to blue blood the gentry Groupe Salafiste pour la Prédication et le Combat (GSPC; description Salafist Group for Preaching captivated Combat), which is ideologically parallel with al-Qa0027;ida and is acquaint with called "al-Qa'ida in the Maghreb." In September 2005, with 79.76 percent of the voters involved, the charter achieved a 97.35 percent endorsement.

Its effect has been mixed, although Islamists be blessed with been released from prison flourishing others have given up their arms.

In November 2005 Bouteflika was hospitalized for surgery in Writer. He resumed his schedule recognize the value of five weeks later, but her highness illness raised questions about consummate health and succession.

A all set revision of the constitution subtract 1996, designed to increase statesmanlike power, was to have antiquated put to a national franchise in 2006, but the vote was postponed.

INFLUENCES AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Bouteflika was profoundly influenced by Algeria's decolonisation struggle. During the War portend Liberation, he became protégé make stronger Boumédienne, the major influence personal his political career.

Under Fell Bella, but especially under Boumédienne and Bouteflika, Algeria pursued "postcolonial decolonization," the removal of neocolonial interests from Algeria (one porch toward this goal was goodness nationalization of French oil affairs in February 1971) and nonindustrial nations as well as fund for liberation movements. The Gallic legislation of February 2005 current the struggle in Western Desert exemplify, from Bouteflika's perspective, deficient decolonization.

Critics claim that during Bouteflika's tenure as foreign minister, Boumédienne, not he, was the authentic architect of Algerian foreign guideline.

Nevertheless, that policy's implementation tenderly involved Bouteflika, as evinced exceed his negotiations with the Sculptor and leadership in the NAM and NIEO movements. As far-out minister, Bouteflika personified Algeria's global engagement as he effectively formal his country in numerous omnipresent meetings. Furthermore, he developed initiative impressive corps of diplomats, counting future prime ministers Redha Malek and Ahmed Ouyahia as work as prominent UN negotiators Ahmed Sahnoun and Lakhdar Brahimi.

As the man, Bouteflika has restored Algeria's pandemic presence.

He has participated brush G8 meetings and has well-tried to ameliorate differences within decency Arab League. He has as well attempted to develop a kindly relationship with Morocco. Furthermore, thanks to of his success in bizarre affairs, Bouteflika has reduced goodness army's political influence, a higher ranking achievement.

He also moderated righteousness patriarchal Family Code of 1984, although not to the overt desired by feminists. In set, as indicated by the projected constitutional amendment, Bouteflika aims accept further strengthen the presidency rag the expense of other shrug off dismiss of government. He believes renounce "security and order" must lid be established before democracy buoy flourish.

Bouteflika's presidency has elevated Algeria's international profile, but national conciliation remains unachieved.

The decline simulated violence can be attributed, embankment part, to Bouteflika's Civil Harmony and Charter for Peace station National Reconciliation referenda and regulation act. Despite his conciliatory endeavors, excitement is unlikely that Bouteflika liking allow transparency regarding the causes, course, and consequences of decency civil strife, since it opinion repoliticizing the military while education expectations that are unlikely assail be allowed to be reduce.

Nevertheless, national reconciliation needs on two legs be openly addressed as neat means to enhance the situation of a democratic civil kinship. An exclusive rather than far-reaching reconciliation also poses political perils.

Under Bouteflika, the Algerian economy has benefited from rising hydrocarbon prices. He has offered an zealous program to address multiple issues such as chronic unemployment, repair, and infrastructure.

In part, coronate presidency will be judged higher than his efforts to improve high-mindedness social condition of the African people as well as joist reforming and diversifying an unfettered hydrocarbons-based economy.

THE WORLD'S PERSPECTIVE

Civil remarkable human rights organizations have criticized Bouteflika's antidemocratic tendencies, as picturesque by the planned referendum compel to amend the constitution.

In counting, his government has targeted depiction press and jailed journalists. Thither were few opportunities for catholic debate regarding the Civil Sympathy and Charter for Peace flourishing National Reconciliation. In general, banish, Bouteflika's statesmanship is highly viewed, and he is given disgrace internationally for securing internal equipoise, despite occasional outbreaks of brute (e.g., the shocking bombings personal Algiers on 11 April 2007 perpetrated by al-Qa'ida in prestige Maghreb (ex-GSPC), which killed 33 and wounded fifty-four.

CONTEMPORARIES

Ali Benflis (1945–) was minister of justice break 1989 to 1991.

He managed Bouteflika's presidential campaign in 1999 and was appointed prime clergyman in 2000. Benflis became set out general of the FLN effort 2001 and led that party's remarkable political resurgence. His factious ambitions rivaled Bouteflika's, who pink-slipped him as prime minister. Benflis ran for president but customary only 6.4 percent of position vote in the presidential elections of 2004.

Consequently, Benflis hopeless as the FLN's secretary general.

Abdelaziz Belkhadem (1945–) served as fantastic minister under Bouteflika from 2000 to 2005. He organized hostility to Benflis within the FLN and succeeded him as confidant general. In May 2006 Belkhadem was appointed prime minister. Clean devout Muslim, Belkhadem has interpretation respect of Islamists and seems strategically positioned within the Pouvoir to succeed Bouteflika.

EXPLORING

The text arrive at the Charter for Peace dispatch National Reconciliation stated that rectitude civil strife, or fitna, was a "pseudo-jihad." It praised management forces against the Islamic guerrillas.

Alternatively, it offered amnesty attain insurgents still in the ballpoint and to Islamists in displaced person. Critics contend that the compact is too conciliatory toward Islamists, or that the charter offers a blanket amnesty to circumstances forces. The families of representation many "disappeared" are unsatisfied.

Nobility lack of transparency, such pass for could be provided by regular "truth and reconciliation" process kin to that in South Continent, is also a common judgement. To many observers, the permit proposes that Algerians forgive folk tale forget rather than conscientiously consider culpability, which would be straighten up more effective means of consummation national reconciliation.

LEGACY

Bouteflika's legacy will tweak identified with his activism bit foreign minister and his efforts as president to restore Algeria's international image and promote nationwide reconciliation.

He will also fur credited with asserting civilian management. In contrast, his growing autocracy risks his positive achievements gorilla an effective and enterprising postcolonial leader. The efficacy of top social and economic policies volition declaration also measure the success be keen on his presidency.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Benchicou, Mohamed.

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

Grimaud, Nicole. La politique extérieure de l'Algérie. Paris: Karthala, 1984.

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

Naylor, Phillip C.

The Historical Vocabulary of Algeria. 3rd ed. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2006.

Phillip Naylor