Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Abdelaziz Bouteflika (Arabic: عبد العزيز بوتفليقة, Kabyle: Ɛebdelaziz Buteflig; 2 March 1937 – 17 September 2021) was an Algerian politician who served as the President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019. He was born in Oujda, Morocco, to Algerian parents, and moved to Algeria with his family in 1952. He joined the National Liberation Front (FLN) in 1956 and fought in the Algerian War of Independence against France. After independence in 1962, he held several ministerial positions, including Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1963 to 1979. He was also Secretary-General of the FLN from 1964 to 1979.
In 1979, Bouteflika was appointed President of the United Nations General Assembly. He served in this position for one year. He returned to Algeria in 1980 and was elected President of the FLN again in 1983. He remained in this position until 1991, when he was forced to resign due to the rise of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS).
Bouteflika returned to politics in 1994, when he was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. He was elected President of Algeria in 1999, and was re-elected in 2004, 2009, and 2014. His presidency was marred by corruption and human rights abuses. He resigned in April 2019, following mass protests against his rule.
Bouteflika died in Algiers on 17 September 2021, at the age of 84.
Early life and education
Abdelaziz Bouteflika was born in Oujda, Morocco, on 2 March 1937. His father, Ahmed Bouteflika, was a teacher, and his mother, Mansouria Ghezlaoui, was a housewife. Bouteflika had two brothers and two sisters. The family moved to Algeria in 1952.
Bouteflika attended school in Tlemcen and Algiers. He then studied at the University of Paris, where he earned a degree in law. He also studied at the École Nationale d'Administration (ENA), the elite French civil service school.
Political career
Bouteflika joined the National Liberation Front (FLN) in 1956. He fought in the Algerian War of Independence against France. After independence in 1962, he held several ministerial positions, including Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1963 to 1979. He was also Secretary-General of the FLN from 1964 to 1979.
In 1979, Bouteflika was appointed President of the United Nations General Assembly. He served in this position for one year. He returned to Algeria in 1980 and was elected President of the FLN again in 1983. He remained in this position until 1991, when he was forced to resign due to the rise of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS).
Bouteflika returned to politics in 1994, when he was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. He was elected President of Algeria in 1999, and was re-elected in 2004, 2009, and 2014. His presidency was marred by corruption and human rights abuses. He resigned in April 2019, following mass protests against his rule.
Presidency
Bouteflika was elected President of Algeria in 1999. He won the election with 74% of the vote. His main opponent was Ahmed Ben Bella, the first President of Algeria.
Bouteflika's presidency was marked by a number of successes. He brought an end to the civil war that had been raging in Algeria since 1991. He also oversaw a period of economic growth and development. However, his presidency was also marred by corruption and human rights abuses.
Corruption
Bouteflika's presidency was plagued by corruption. His family and close associates were accused of amassing vast wealth through corrupt practices. In 2019, Bouteflika's brother, Said Bouteflika, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for corruption.
Human rights abuses
Bouteflika's presidency was also marked by human rights abuses. His government was accused of torturing and killing political opponents. In 2011, Bouteflika's government cracked down on the Arab Spring protests in Algeria. Hundreds of protesters were arrested and detained.
Resignation
In April 2019, Bouteflika resigned as President of Algeria. His resignation came after