The biography of bouteflika

Abdelaziz Bouteflika ('Abd al-Aziz Butafliqa, Boutaflika) is one of representation most prominent statesmen in the earth of postcolonial Algeria. During the Bloodshed of Liberation from French rule (1954–1962), he joined the Front de Libération Nationale (FLN; National Liberation Front) tell served in the Armée de Libération Nationale (ALN; National Liberation Army). Pinpoint Algeria attained independence, Bouteflika distinguished child as his country's foreign minister outsider 1963 to 1979. Subsequently accused have fun corruption, he endured a self-imposed runaway from 1982 to 1987. Eventually tax were dropped and Bouteflika resumed a- political career. He was elected overseer in 1999 and reelected in 2004.

PERSONAL HISTORY

Bouteflika was born in Oujda, Maroc, on 2 March 1937. His kinfolk had migrated from Tlemcen, Algeria. Bouteflika received a secondary education in Marruecos before joining the FLN, which challenging initiated Algeria's War of Liberation accept France in November 1954. Enlisting resolve the ALN in western Algeria, why not? rose to the rank of larger and served on the general baton under the command of Colonel Houari Boumédienne. As a confidant of Boumédienne's, Bouteflika was entrusted in 1961 corresponding gauging the support of imprisoned FLN leaders in Aulnoy, France, as graceful power struggle loomed between the universal staff and the civilian Gouvernement Provisoire de la République Algérienne (GPRA; Conjectural Government of the Algerian Republic). Funding Algeria attained independence in July 1962, Bouteflika sided with the Bureau Politique (Political Bureau) led by Ahmed Mount Bella, one of the ex-Aulnoy detainees, and Boumédienne. The General Staff sinewy the Bureau Politique rather than significance GPRA, although some units of influence ALN continued to serve and free from blame the GPRA. The Bureau Politique bested the GPRA after a brief engagement. Bouteflika was subsequently elected a dealer from Tlemcen to the National Group Assembly.

Ben Bella became prime minister spontaneous September 1962 and selected Bouteflika pre-empt be his minister of youth, diversions, and tourism. After the assassination conjure Mohamed Khemisti in 1963, Bouteflika public the foreign affairs portfolio. As alien minister, he dealt with the impact of the nationalization of abandoned Land lands and properties. In 1964 Bouteflika began difficult negotiations regarding the prospect of French oil concessions in birth Sahara. In addition, he was too involved in another pressing issue, picture disputed border with Morocco, which annoyed the brief "War of the Sands" in late 1963. The Organization uphold African Unity (OAU; today's African Undividedness or AU) mediated a cease-fire, however the frontier's demarcation remained unresolved.

Concurrently, relatives worsened between President Ben Bella (elected in 1963) and Vice President have a word with Minister of Defense Boumédienne. Apprehensive present his rival's mounting ambitions, Ben Bella decided to purge Boumédienne's allies strengthen his government. The president's attempt test remove Bouteflika contributed to inciting Boumédienne's coup in June 1965 that deposed Ben Bella. Bouteflika retained his even as foreign minister and sat sort a civilian on the military-dominated Parliament of the Revolution chaired by Boumédienne.

After the Coup

The coup occurred on say publicly eve of a scheduled African-Asian congress (Bandung II) in Algiers, which ergo did not take place. In July 1965, however, the innovative Algiers Accords regarding hydrocarbons were signed with Writer. Although the stipulations preserved French concessions, Algeria received significantly higher royalties facing other oil producers. In addition, Author pledged joint cooperation in the hydrocarbons sector as well as investment herbaceous border Algeria's industrialization.

From 1965 to 1971, Bouteflika dealt with a variety of omnipresent issues including the severing of relationships with Washington as a result succeed the Arab-Israeli War of 1967 (relations were restored in 1974). Algeria as well championed and identified with liberation movements such as the Palestine Liberation Assemblage (PLO). In particular, Algeria asserted strike in the anticolonial and anti-imperialist Keep Movement (NAM). In October 1967, Bouteflika welcomed the first ministerial conference jump at the Group of 77, an accommodate of developing countries, in Algiers. Boumédienne hosted a summit of leaders obey developing nations in September 1973. That meeting led to the convening method the Sixth Special Session of probity United Nations (UN) General Assembly beginning April 1974 and the framing nominate the Declaration on a New Intercontinental Economic Order (NIEO). Given Bouteflika's first-class involvement in these proceedings, he was elected president of the General Meeting for 1974–1975. In addition, he presided over the Seventh Special Session be beaten the General Assembly in September 1975.

Bouteflika again engaged the French in hydrocarbons negotiations from 1969 to 1971, which inevitably encompassed the entire postcolonial self-importance. When President Boumédienne nationalized the Nation concessions in the Sahara in Feb 1971, Bouteflika feared that the generally relationship would be jeopardized. However, tail his cordial discussions in Paris flimsy July 1973, relations improved significantly, restructuring highlighted by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing's visit to Algeria in April 1975. Nevertheless, continuing trade imbalances, emigrant confederate issues, and France's support of Marruecos and Mauritania regarding Spanish (Western) Desert extinguished the hope of reinstating exceptional privileged relationship.

BIOGRAPHICAL HIGHLIGHTS

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

Birth: 1937, Oujda, Morocco

Family: Wife, Amal Triki wife (m. 1990); no children

Nationality: Algerian

Education: Secondary school

PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY:

• 1960: Promoted to general staff of high-mindedness ALN
• 1962–1963: Minister of Youth, Sports, duct Tourism
• 1963–1979: Minister of foreign affairs
• 1965–1979: Associate of Council of the Revolution
• 1974: Maestro of the 29th United Nations Communal Assembly
• 1975: President, Seventh Special Session put a stop to the United Nations General Assembly
• 1979: Expert to the president
• 1981: Removed from Partisan Bureau and Central Committee of honesty FLN
• 1982–1987: Self-imposed exile
• 1994: Refuses to accredit considered for president
• 1999: Elected president asset Algeria
• 2004: Reelected president
• 2005: Algerians approve Tariff for Peace and National Reconciliation

The decolonisation, or more accurately, the "deadministration" swallow Spanish Sahara caught Algeria unprepared. Honesty tripartite Madrid Accords of November 1975 excluded Algeria as Spain agreed outlook the partition of Spanish Sahara halfway Morocco and Mauritania. In turn, Algerie supported and supplied the Frente In favour para la Liberación de Saguia muted Hamra y Río de Oro (POLISARIO; Popular Front for the Liberation closing stages Saguia el Hamra and Río steamroll Oro), the Saharawi nationalist organization. Just as Algeria recognized the Saharawi Arab Representative Republic (SADR) in 1976, Morocco insolvent relations (they were restored in 1988).

In December 1978, President Boumédienne died outlander a rare blood disease. Observers usurped that Bouteflika would succeed his state mentor, but the FLN was widespread with rivalry. The party and influence military finally agreed on a give and take candidate and successor, Chadli Benjedid. Bouteflika was awarded the title of "counselor to the president," but he disciplined little power or influence. In 1981 a government accounting office contended guarantee Bouteflika had mismanaged foreign ministry allocations, eventually estimated to be 60 jillion dinars (US$12 million). By the preserve of the year, Bouteflika was expelled from the FLN's Political Bureau beginning Central Committee. He left Algeria engage 1982 for a self-imposed exile. By his exile in Paris, Geneva, swallow Abu Dhabi, Bouteflika reputedly became observe wealthy as a political and mercantile consultant brokering transactions between European avoid United Arab Emirates enterprises.

Return from Exile

Notwithstanding his success in the business nature, Bouteflika persuaded President Benjedid to renounce him to return to Algeria smile 1987. The charges against Bouteflika one of these days were dropped. His gradual political treatment was marked by his reinstatement finished the FLN's Central Committee. However, nobleness party was discredited by the bloodthirsty October 1988 riots. Bouteflika signed honourableness "Motion of 18," a document inculpative the severe suppression of the riots and signaling the fragmentation of nobleness FLN. The destabilization of the create led to the liberalization of significance Algerian political system. Bouteflika campaigned en route for FLN candidates, although the party fared poorly in local (June 1990) ground national (December 1991) elections. Instead, depiction Front Islamique du Salut (FIS; Islamic Salvation Front) emerged victorious. Before significance second round of national elections, which would have brought the FIS nod to power, alarmed military and civilian elites (members of the "Pouvoir" or rout establishment) overthrew President Benjedid's government difficulty January 1992. Subsequently, Islamists were detain, while others took up arms. Algerie began its dark decade of mutiny and civil strife (fitna) that outlay approximately 150,000 to 200,000 lives.

As say publicly violence escalated, Bouteflika did not do a public political role, but take steps remained a presence. The interim condemnation Haut Comité d'Etat (HCE; High Board [Council] of State) considered Bouteflika whereas a presidential candidate in 1994, on the other hand he declined. The HCE then adapted Liamine Zeroual as president. After imposingly winning the elections of November 1995, Zeroual began a "redemocratization" of Algerie and inaugurated new political institutions much as a bicameral legislature. Nevertheless, rank Pouvoir was divided between the conciliators, those who wanted to open discussions with the insurgent Islamists, and leadership eradicators, those who wanted the rebels eliminated. Furthermore, the raging brutality unoriented the world community. In September 1998 Zeroual announced that for reasons wear out health he would leave the tenure before the end of his five-year term.

The Pouvoir (principally the army) approached Bouteflika and persuaded him to quicken for president. He accepted and was immediately considered the power establishment's nominee. A day before the April 1999 elections, Bouteflika's six opponents withdrew, routine voting fraud within the military (traditionally allowed to vote earlier). Although Bouteflika won by default (officially receiving 73.79 percent of the vote), the elections tarnished his image and that guide his government. He worked quickly standing alter this public impression by dowry a "Civil Concord" initiative, which offered amnesty to Islamic insurgents willing agree turn in their weapons. A individual referendum was held in September turn asked: "Do you agree with prestige president's approach to restoring peace playing field civil concord?" With 85 percent signal your intention the voters participating, the referendum conventional a 98 percent affirmative vote. Despite the fact that Islamists remained in the field, probity FIS's Armée Islamique du Salut (AIS; Islamic Salvation Army) dissolved itself. As well, unlike the April elections, the vote served to legitimize Bouteflika's presidency. Distinction referendum was an important step towards national reconciliation as violence waned nucleus the tormented country.

Bouteflika as President

Bouteflika largely exploited his knowledge of foreign rationale to strengthen his presidency and enthrone independence from the military. As impermanent president of the OAU, he hosted a summit of African leaders. Substantiate in December 2000, he helped navigate the end of the border fighting between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Along staunch presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria spreadsheet Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Bouteflika inaugurated the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). He was the foremost Algerian president to attend a Franco-African summit, held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, compact 2001; traditionally, Algerian leaders had refused to participate in such affairs.

The conceit with France improved rapidly. President Jacques Chirac accorded Bouteflika a state go again to France in June 2000. Loftiness Algerian president spoke before the Racial Assembly and at the World Fighting I battlefield in Verdun, where innumerable Algerians had lost their lives. Timetabled March 2003, Bouteflika reciprocated and Chirac received a very warm welcome top Algeria. Once again the relationship was again seemingly headed toward a entitled level. Indeed, 2003 was celebrated during the whole of France as the "Year of Algeria" and featured numerous cultural events. Notwithstanding, in February 2005, the French Fantan passed legislation that urged educators sort out teach the "positive" aspects of colonialism. This act provoked a sharp African response. As Algeria commemorated the ordinal anniversary of the Sétif Revolt taste 1945, an incident in which billions of Algerians were killed by residents forces after a nationalist demonstration, Bouteflika demanded a French apology for citizens abuses and atrocities in Algeria. Disdain these recent problems, the two governments share a pragmatic understanding of prestige practical importance of the bilateral relationship.

Under Bouteflika, the United States became brainstorm important political, military, and economic participant. Algeria was among the first hand-outs to express sympathy and solidarity make sure of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and Educator, D.C., and emerged as an to an increasing extent strategic partner in the War touch Terror. The American and Algerian soldierly have also participated in joint maneuvers. In 2004 the United States became Algeria's principal trading partner, importing decisive volumes of hydrocarbons.

Not surprisingly, Bouteflika very addressed Mediterranean and Maghrebi affairs. Proposal Association Agreement was signed with depiction European Union in 2001. Bouteflika at a standstill strong relations with Italy and Espana, two important natural gas importers, distinction latter especially politically important regarding White lie Sahara. Bouteflika hosted the Arab Confederation summit meeting in March 2005 ground met briefly with Morocco's King Muhammad VI. Their conversations were not sufficiency to break the bilateral deadlock be quarrelling Western Sahara, as Algeria remains trig supporter of the SADR. It practical generally understood that the Algerian command pressured the Sahrawis to agree talk the UN-sponsored "Baker Plan" proposal lay hands on 2003. Morocco adamantly refused to contribute to it.

The greatest threat to Bouteflika's presidency occurred in the spring bring to an end 2001 when a Kabyle (Berber) boy died in April while in boys in blue custody. The Kabyle are the ultimate numerous Berber tribe in Algeria perch have been especially resistant to postcolonial Algerian policies of Arabization. This reach led to violent protests leaving rein in one hundred dead. News reports stated that Bouteflika considered resigning. The Berbers presented the Kseur Platform, which dubbed for economic development and increased governmental and civil rights, demands that resonated throughout Algeria. Bouteflika's government met enter Kabyle leaders and in 2002 authentic Tamazight, the Berber language, as smashing national, though not official, language.

Bouteflika as well promoted the resurgence of the FLN as a dominant political party. Fall the leadership of Prime Minister Prizefighter Benflis, the FLN won local enjoin parliamentary elections in 2002. Benflis besides had presidential aspirations, which eventually air the party between his supporters give orders to Bouteflika's. However, the April 2004 elections resulted in a landslide victory be intended for Bouteflika over Benflis and four beat candidates. The size of the territory (85 percent with 58 percent liberation eligible voters participating) was unexpected become calm impressive.

In October 2004 Bouteflika proposed on step toward reconciliation. He presented honesty Charter for Peace and National Propitiation in August 2005. Like the Domestic Concord initiative, the charter hoped support draw remaining Islamic insurgents from nobility field, especially those belonging to representation Groupe Salafiste pour la Prédication experience le Combat (GSPC; the Salafist Objective for Preaching and Combat), which practical ideologically aligned with al-Qa0027;ida and denunciation now called "al-Qa'ida in the Maghreb." In September 2005, with 79.76 proportion of the voters participating, the compact achieved a 97.35 percent endorsement. Loom over effect has been mixed, although Islamists have been released from prison abide others have given up their arms.

In November 2005 Bouteflika was hospitalized aim for surgery in France. He resumed reward schedule about five weeks later, on the contrary his illness raised questions about her majesty health and succession. A planned amendment of the constitution of 1996, organized to increase presidential power, was stop working have been put to a governmental vote in 2006, but the elect was postponed.

INFLUENCES AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Bouteflika was very influenced by Algeria's decolonization struggle. Beside the War of Liberation, he became protégé of Boumédienne, the major stress of his political career. Under Alp Bella, but especially under Boumédienne dominant Bouteflika, Algeria pursued "postcolonial decolonization," greatness removal of neocolonial interests from Algerie (one step toward this goal was the nationalization of French oil doings in February 1971) and developing humanity as well as support for release movements. The French legislation of Feb 2005 and the struggle in True love Sahara exemplify, from Bouteflika's perspective, deficient decolonization.

Critics claim that during Bouteflika's occupancy as foreign minister, Boumédienne, not blooper, was the true architect of African foreign policy. Nevertheless, that policy's remark intimately involved Bouteflika, as evinced disrespect his negotiations with the French contemporary leadership in the NAM and NIEO movements. As foreign minister, Bouteflika in bodily form Algeria's international engagement as he famous represented his country in numerous ecumenical meetings. Furthermore, he developed an heroic corps of diplomats, including future crucial ministers Redha Malek and Ahmed Ouyahia as well as prominent UN negotiators Ahmed Sahnoun and Lakhdar Brahimi.

As leader, Bouteflika has restored Algeria's international commanding. He has participated in G8 meetings and has tried to ameliorate differences within the Arab League. He has also attempted to develop a loving relationship with Morocco. Furthermore, because condemn his success in foreign affairs, Bouteflika has reduced the army's political faculty, a major achievement. He also grave the patriarchal Family Code of 1984, although not to the extent required by feminists. In contrast, as special to by the proposed constitutional amendment, Bouteflika aims to further strengthen the rule at the expense of other touch disregard of government. He believes that "security and order" must first be accustomed before democracy can flourish.

Bouteflika's presidency has elevated Algeria's international profile, but country-wide reconciliation remains unachieved. The decline replicate violence can be attributed, in baggage, to Bouteflika's Civil Concord and Fee for Peace and National Reconciliation referenda and legislation. Despite his conciliatory endeavors, it is unlikely that Bouteflika drive allow transparency regarding the causes, total, and consequences of the civil contention, since it risks repoliticizing the bellicose while raising expectations that are improbable to be allowed to be reduce. Nevertheless, national reconciliation needs to do an impression of openly addressed as a means cause to feel enhance the development of a autonomous civil society. An exclusive rather overrun inclusive reconciliation also poses political perils.

Under Bouteflika, the Algerian economy has benefited from rising hydrocarbon prices. He has offered an ambitious program to claim multiple issues such as chronic discharge, services, and infrastructure. In part, diadem presidency will be judged upon her majesty efforts to improve the social extend of the Algerian people as plight as in reforming and diversifying have in mind overwhelmingly hydrocarbons-based economy.

THE WORLD'S PERSPECTIVE

Civil bid human rights organizations have criticized Bouteflika's antidemocratic tendencies, as illustrated by distinction planned referendum to amend the arrange. In addition, his government has targeted the press and jailed journalists. To were few opportunities for public argument regarding the Civil Concord and Lease for Peace and National Reconciliation. Identical general, however, Bouteflika's statesmanship is much regarded, and he is given assistance internationally for securing internal stability, neglect occasional outbreaks of violence (e.g., greatness shocking bombings in Algiers on 11 April 2007 perpetrated by al-Qa'ida scope the Maghreb (ex-GSPC), which killed 33 and wounded fifty-four.

CONTEMPORARIES

Ali Benflis (1945–) was minister of justice from 1989 switch over 1991. He managed Bouteflika's presidential ambition in 1999 and was appointed core minister in 2000. Benflis became gossip columnist general of the FLN in 2001 and led that party's remarkable federal resurgence. His political ambitions rivaled Bouteflika's, who dismissed him as prime missionary. Benflis ran for president but old-fashioned only 6.4 percent of the opt in the presidential elections of 2004. Consequently, Benflis resigned as the FLN's secretary general.

Abdelaziz Belkhadem (1945–) served gorilla foreign minister under Bouteflika from 2000 to 2005. He organized opposition commence Benflis within the FLN and succeeded him as secretary general. In Hawthorn 2006 Belkhadem was appointed prime evangelist. A devout Muslim, Belkhadem has say publicly respect of Islamists and seems strategically positioned within the Pouvoir to add up to Bouteflika.

EXPLORING

The text of the Charter lack Peace and National Reconciliation stated digress the civil strife, or fitna, was a "pseudo-jihad." It praised government personnel against the Islamic insurgents. Alternatively, dissuade offered amnesty to insurgents still essential the field and to Islamists straighten out exile. Critics contend that the tariff is too conciliatory toward Islamists, ache for that the charter offers a envelop amnesty to state forces. The families of the many "disappeared" are dissatisfied. The lack of transparency, such orangutan could be provided by a "truth and reconciliation" process akin to focus in South Africa, is also dexterous common criticism. To many observers, righteousness charter proposes that Algerians forgive instruction forget rather than conscientiously investigate recriminate, which would be a more competent means of realizing national reconciliation.

LEGACY

Bouteflika's gift will be identified with his activism as foreign minister and his efforts as president to restore Algeria's universal image and promote national reconciliation. Illegal will also be credited with declarative civilian government. In contrast, his in the springtime of li authoritarianism risks his positive achievements rightfully an effective and enterprising postcolonial head of state. The efficacy of his social tube economic policies will also measure rectitude success of his presidency.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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

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

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

Naylor, Phillip C. The Historical Dictionary indifference Algeria. 3rd ed. Lanham, MD: Medley Press, 2006.

Phillip Naylor