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 brush Algerian politician and diplomat who served as the seventh chief of Algeria from 1999 combat his resignation in 2019.
Before his stint as an African politician, Bouteflika served during honesty Algerian War as a contributor of the National Liberation Anterior. After Algeria gained its self-determination from France, he served translation the Minister of Foreign Development between 1963 until 1979. Sand served as President of blue blood the gentry United Nations General Assembly generous the 1974–1975 session.
In 1983 he was convicted of larceny millions of dinars from African embassies during his diplomatic life's work.
In 1999, Bouteflika was designate president of Algeria in deft landslide victory. He would do something to deserve re-elections in 2004, 2009, gift 2014. As President, he presided over the end of loftiness Algerian Civil War in 2002 when he took over honesty project of his immediate forebear President Liamine Zéroual, and without fear ended emergency rule in Feb 2011 amidst regional unrest.
Followers a stroke in 2013, Bouteflika had made few public ritual throughout his fourth term, production his final appearance in 2017.[3]
Bouteflika resigned on 2 April 2019 amid months of mass protests opposing his candidacy for capital fifth term. With nearly 20 years in power, he legal action the longest-serving head of set down of Algeria to date.[4] Multitude his resignation, Bouteflika became uncluttered recluse and died at significance age of 84 in 2021, over two years after tiara resignation.[3]
Abdelaziz Bouteflika was born on 2 Stride 1937 in Oujda, Morocco.[5] Proscribed was the son of Mansouria Ghezlaoui and Ahmed Bouteflika evacuate 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 physician to his brother in 1999. Unlike Saïd, who was embossed mostly in Tlemcen,[7] Abdelaziz grew up in Oujda, where coronate father had emigrated as pure youngster.[6] The son of great zaouia sheikh, he was qualified in the Qur'an.[8] He individually attended three schools in Oudja: Sidi Ziane, El Hoceinia, obscure Abdel Moumen High Schools, situation he reportedly excelled academically.[6] Fiasco was also affiliated with QadiriyyaZaouia in Oujda.[6]
In 1956, Bouteflika went to the village of Ouled Amer near Tlemcen and in short joined—at the age of 19—the National Liberation Army, which was a military branch of say publicly National Liberation Front.[6] He stodgy his military education at distinction École des Cadres in Express El Kebdani, Morocco.[9] In 1957–1958, he was designated a person of Wilaya V,[6] making minutes on the conditions at prestige Moroccan border and in westmost Algeria, but later became honourableness administrative secretary of Houari Boumédiène.
He became one of dominion closest collaborators and a extract member of his Oujda Group.[10]: 12 [11] In 1960, he was arranged to leading the Malian Improvement in the Algerian south mushroom became known for his nom de guerre of Abdelkader al-Mali, which has survived until today.[8] In 1962, at the appearance of independence, he aligned interest Boumédienne and the border number in support of Ahmed Munro Bella against the Provisional Administration of the Algerian Republic.[12]
Following home rule in 1962, Bouteflika became substitute for Tlemcen in the Factor Assembly and Minister for Juvenescence and Sport in the deliver a verdict led by Ahmed Ben Bella; the following year, he was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs.[1]
He was a prime mover tight spot the military coup led spawn Houari Boumediene that overthrew Alp Bella on 19 June 1965.[13] Bouteflika continued as Minister long Foreign Affairs until the get of President Boumédienne in 1978.[12]
He also served as president look up to the United Nations General Assemblage in 1974 and of magnanimity seventh special session in 1975,[1] becoming the youngest person capable have done so.[14] Algeria irate this time was a head of state of the Non-Aligned Nations Movement.[15] He had discussions there right Henry Kissinger in the cap talks between the United States and Algerian officials since loftiness resumption of diplomatic relations mid the two countries.[16]
On 12 Nov 1974, in his capacity on account of president of the General Company, Bouteflika suspended the then Isolation government of South Africa evade participating in the 29th anxiety of the UN.[17] The ejection was challenged by the Abounding, but upheld by the faction by a vote of 91 to 22 on 13 November.[17][18]
In 1981, he was charged conform to having stolen Algerian embassies' legal tender between 1965 and 1979.[19] Critique 8 August 1983, Bouteflika was convicted by the Court break on Financial Auditors and found depraved of having fraudulently taken 60 million dinars during his politic career.[19] Bouteflika was granted acquittal by President Chadli Bendjedid, sovereign colleagues Senouci and Boudjakdji were jailed.[19] After the amnesty, Bouteflika was given back his artful passport, a villa where filth used to live but blunt not own, and all rulership debt was erased.[19] He not till hell freezes over paid back the money "he reserved for a new freakish affairs ministry's building".[20]
Following Boumédienne's unexpected demise in 1978, Bouteflika was natural to as one of the unite main candidates to succeed class powerful president.[21] Bouteflika was reflecting to represent the party's "right wing" that was more come apart to economic reform and reunion with the West.[21] Colonel Mohamed Salah Yahiaoui represented the "boumédiennist" left wing.[21] In the espousal, the military opted for trim compromise candidate, the senior herd colonel Chadli Bendjedid.[12] Bouteflika was reassigned the role of Missionary of State, but successively absent power as Bendjedid's policies work for "de-Boumédiennisation" marginalised the old guard.[12]
In 1981, Bouteflika went into fugitive fleeing corruption charges.[22][12] In 1983, he was convicted of corruption.[23] After six years abroad, descent 1989, the army brought him back to the Central Assembly of the FLN, after picture country had entered a anxious period of unrest and disorganized attempts at reform, with power-struggles between Bendjedid and a classify of army generals paralysing principal.
[24] In 1992, the emend process ended abruptly when high-mindedness army took power and scrapped elections that were about sharp bring the fundamentalist Islamic Circulate Front to power.[24] This current a civil war that would last throughout the 1990s.[24] By way of this period, Bouteflika stayed clash the sidelines, with little feature in the media and thumb political role.[12] In January 1994, Bouteflika was said to have to one`s name refused the Army's proposal grasp succeed the assassinated president, Mohamed Boudiaf; he claimed later think it over this was because the grey would not grant him packed control over the armed forces.[12][25] Instead, General Liamine Zéroual became president.[12][25]
In 1999, after Zéroual aback stepped down and announced inauspicious elections, Bouteflika successfully ran nurture president as an independent seeker, supported by the military.[26] Go to the bottom other candidates withdrew from representation election immediately prior to goodness vote, citing fraud concerns.[27] Bouteflika subsequently organised a referendum passion his policies to restore hush and security to Algeria (involving amnesties for Islamist guerrillas) jaunt to test his support betwixt his countrymen after the problematical election.[28] He won with 81% of the vote, but that figure was also disputed disrespect opponents.[28]
Further information: Foreign dealings of Algeria
Bouteflika presided over rank Organisation of African Unity run to ground 2000, secured the Algiers Composure Treaty between Eritrea and Yaltopya, and supported peace efforts impossible to differentiate the African Great Lakes region.[29] He also secured a amity treaty with nearby Spain overlook 2002, and welcomed president Jacques Chirac of France on efficient state visit to Algiers delete 2003.[30][31] This was intended chimpanzee a prelude to the variety of a friendship treaty.[31]
Algeria has been particularly active in Human relations, and in mending engagements with the West, as ablebodied as trying to some addition to resurrect its role pointed the declining non-Aligned movement.[29] Dispel, it has played a repair limited role in Arab statesmanship machiavel, its other traditional sphere have a high opinion of interest.[32] Relations with the Country of Morocco remained quite override, with diplomatic clashes on ethics issue of the Western Desert, despite some expectations of undiluted thaw in 1999, which was also the year of Handy Mohamed VI's accession to goodness throne in Morocco.[32]
On 8 Apr 2004, Bouteflika was re-elected preschooler an unexpectedly high 85% provision the vote in an referendum that was accepted by Nonsense observers as a free existing fair election.[33] This was questionable by his rival and earlier chief of staff Ali Benflis.[33] Several newspapers alleged that rank election had not been fair.[33] Frustration was expressed over broad state control over the ventilate media.[33] The electoral victory was widely seen as a testimony of Bouteflika's strengthening control stagger the state, cemented through forcing General Mohammed Lamari to leave as his chief of pike and replacing him "with Ahmed Salah Gaid, his close pal and ally."[10]
Only 17% of multitude in Kabylia voted in 2004,[33] which represented a significant inclusion over the violence-ridden legislative elections of 2002.[34] Country-wide, the enrolled turnout rate was 59%.[33]
During the first year of fillet second term, Bouteflika held first-class referendum on his "Charter be a symbol of Peace and National Reconciliation", enthusiastic by the 1995 "Sant'Egidio Platform" document.[35] The law born elder the referendum showed that look after of Bouteflika's goals in urging this blanket amnesty plan was to help Algeria recover treason image internationally and to add immunity to institutional actors.[35]
The leading year of Bouteflika's second title implemented the Complementary Plan agreeable Economic Growth Support (PCSC), which aimed for the construction be advisable for 1 million housing units, justness creation of 2 million jobs, the completion of the East–west highway, the completion of rank Algiers subway project, the transport of the new Algiers drome, and other similar large compass infrastructure projects.[36]
The PCSC totaled $60 billion of spending over rectitude five-year period.
Bouteflika also adored to bring down the exterior debt from $21 billion resolve $12 billion in the livery time.[36] He also obtained punishment Parliament the reform of depiction law governing the oil post gas industries, despite initial contrast from the workers unions.[37] On the other hand, Bouteflika subsequently stepped back deviate this position and supported amendments to the hydrocarbon law get through to 2006, which propose watering coordinate some of the clauses be keen on the 2005 legislation relating put up the shutters the role of Sonatrach, loftiness state owned oil & guff company, in new developments.[38]
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 make it to teach that French colonisation abstruse positive effects abroad, especially underneath North Africa.[39] The diplomatic calamity which ensued delayed the symbol of a friendship treaty amidst the two countries.[39]
Ties to Land were strengthened and Russia unanimous to forgive debts if Algerie began buying arms and gave Russian gas companies (Gazprom, Itera, and Lukoil) access to seam fossil-fuel ventures in Algeria.[40]
In 2004 Bouteflika organised the Arab Band Summit and became President unconscious the Arab League for sole year; however his calls back reform of the League exact not gain sufficient support discover pass during the Algiers summit.[41]
At the March 2005 meeting assiduousness Arab leaders, held in Port, Bouteflika spoke out strongly admit Israel, "The Israelis' continuous holocaust and refusal of a unabridged and lasting peace, which nobility Arab world is calling infer, requires from us to candidly support the Palestinian people."[42] Notwithstanding criticism from the west, ie the United States, Bouteflika insisted that Arab nations would modify at their own pace.[42]
On 16 July 2009, President of VietnamNguyễn Minh Triết, met with Bouteflika on the sidelines of high-mindedness 15th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) crown in Egypt.[43] President Triet become more intense Bouteflika agreed that the mirror image countries still have great likely for development of political cranium trade relations.[43] Triet praised leadership Algerian government for creating now conditions for the Vietnam Put up the shutters and Gas Group to frock in oil and gas investigation and exploitation in Algeria.[43]
In Advance 2016, the foreign ministers hold the Arab league voted down declare Hezbollah a terrorist accommodate, Bouteflika voted with Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq to reject say publicly motion.[44]
In sub-Saharan Africa, a bigger concern of Bouteflika's Algeria esoteric been on-and-off Tuareg rebellions train in northern Mali.[45] Algeria has averred itself forcefully as mediator timetabled the conflict, perhaps underlining fraudulence growing regional influence.[45] Compromise calmness agreements were reached in 2007 and 2008, both mediated tough Algiers.[45]
In 2006, Bouteflika appointed efficient new Prime Minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem.[46] Belkhadem then announced plans stray violate the Algerian Constitution journey allow the President to relatives for office indefinitely and amplification his powers.[47] This was parts regarded as aimed to cut out Bouteflika run for president sales rep a third term.[47] In 2008, Belkhadem was shifted out defer to the premiership and his precursor Ahmed Ouyahia brought in, acceptance also come out in token of the constitutional amendment.[48][49]
The Legislature of Ministers announced on 3 November 2008 that the set able constitutional revision proposal would get rid of the presidential term limit before included in Article 74.[50] Authority People's National Assembly endorsed representation removal of the term rod on 12 November 2008; single the Rally for Culture captain Democracy (RCD) voted against betrayal removal.[51]
Following the constitutional amendment even supposing him to run for regular third term, on 12 Feb 2009, Bouteflika announced his autonomous candidacy in the 2009 statesmanlike election.[52] On 10 April 2009, it was announced that Bouteflika had won the election counterpart 90.24% of the vote, pomposity a turnout of 74%,[53] thereby obtaining a new five-year designation.
Several opposition parties had boycotted the election, with the objection Socialist Forces Front citing unadulterated "tsunami of massive fraud".[53]
Main article: 2010–12 Algerian protests
In 2010, journalists gathered to exhibit for press freedom and desecrate Bouteflika's self-appointed role as writer of Algeria's state television station.[54] In February 2011, the polity rescinded the state of distress that had been in font since 1992 but still outlawed all protest gatherings and demonstrations.[55] However, in April 2011, comply with 2,000 protesters defied an legal ban and took to loftiness streets of Algiers, clashing care police forces.[55] Protesters noted make certain they were inspired by birth recent Egyptian Revolution, and dump Algeria was a police disclose and "corrupt to the bone".[55]
Following yet another constitutional amendment, notwithstanding him to run for wonderful fourth term, Bouteflika announced ramble he would.[56] He met decency electoral law requiring a nominee to collect over 60,000 signatures from supporters in 25 provinces.[56] On 18 April 2014, good taste was re-elected with 81% indicate the vote, while Benflis was second placed with 12.18%.[57] Nobility turnout was 51.7%, down come across the 75% turnout in 2009.[58] Several opposition parties boycotted picture election again, resulting in allegations of fraud.[59]
Bouteflika cabled his compliments to freshly-reelected Bashar al-Assad graft 19 April 2014.[60] Bouteflika was admitted to a clinic regress Grenoble in France in Nov 2014.[61] In November 2016, sharp-tasting was hospitalized in France awaken medical checks.[62]
On 20 February 2017, the German ChancellorAngela Merkel canceled her trip to Algeria archetypal hour before takeoff, reportedly in that Bouteflika had severe bronchitis.[63]
In June 2017, Bouteflika made a uncommon, and brief, appearance on African state television presiding over marvellous cabinet meeting with his modern government.[64] In a written schedule, he ordered the government interest reduce imports, curb spending, beam be wary of foreign debt.[64] He called for banking segment reform and more investment hamper renewable energy and "unconventional museum piece hydrocarbons".[64] Bouteflika was reliant continue a wheelchair and had groan given a speech in the populace since 2014 due to aphasia following his stroke.[65] That very much year, he made his furthest back public appearance while unveiling shipshape and bristol fashion new metro station and glory newly renovated Ketchaoua Mosque bolster Algiers.[3]
During his final term bit president, Bouteflika was usually groan been seen in public verify more than two years, come first several of his close fellowship had not seen him shadow more than one year.[66] Peak was alleged that he could hardly speak and communicated timorous letter with his ministers.[66]
Main articles: 2019 Algerian presidential free will and 2019 Algerian protests
On 10 February 2019, a press turn loose signed by the long-ailing Bouteflika announcing he would seek neat as a pin fifth consecutive term provoked general discontent.[67] Youth protesters demanded monarch picture be removed from conurbation halls in Kenchela and Metropolis in the days before position national demonstrations on 22 Feb, organized via social media.[67] Those in Algiers, where street protests are illegal, were the large in nearly 18 years.
Protestors ripped down a giant broadside of Bouteflika from the guide 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 grandeur elections was not enough involving end the protests.[71] On 31 March 2019, Bouteflika along exchange of ideas the Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui who had taken office 20 days earlier, formed a 27-member cabinet with only 6 style the appointees being retained shun the outgoing president administration.[71] Honourableness next day, Bouteflika announced depart he would resign by 28 April 2019.[71] Acceding to contention by the army chief be proper of staff, he ultimately resigned top-notch day later, on 2 Apr 2019.[72]
Following his resignation, Bouteflika resumed his reclusiveness and made pollex all thumbs butte public appearances due to shortcoming health.[3] Bouteflika spent his farewell years in a medicalised arraign residence in Zéralda, a colony of Algiers.[3][73] He also abstruse a private residence in Finger Biar.[74]
In Nov 2005, Bouteflika was admitted industrial action a hospital in France, reportedly had a gastric ulcer injury, and discharged three weeks later.[75] However, the length of every time for which Bouteflika remained hardly incommunicado led to rumours delay he was critically ill adequate stomach cancer.[76] He checked effect the hospital again in Apr 2006.[77]
A leaked diplomatic cable beat that, by the end announcement 2008, Bouteflika had developed belly cancer.[78]
In 2013, Bouteflika had unblended debilitating stroke.[67] A journalist, Hichem Aboud, was pursued for "threatening national security, territorial integrity, esoteric normal management of the Republic's institutions" and the newspapers lead to which he wrote were overlooked, because he wrote that depiction President had returned from Val-de-Grâce in a "comatose state" extra had characterized Saïd Bouteflika restructuring the puppet-master running the administration.[79][80]
On 17 September 2021 Bouteflika dreary at his home in Zéralda from cardiac arrest at class age of 84.[22][81][82] His mortality was announced on state verify by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.[83] Pacify had been in failing welfare since he had a flourish in 2013.[3][22] President Tebboune announced three days of national sobbing after his death.[84] He was buried at the El Alia Cemetery on 19 September drain liquid from a subdued ceremony.[85]
Bouteflika's rule was marred by allegations of receptacle and vote-tampering at elections be different 1999 to 2019.[23] He confidential already been convicted in 1983 of corruption.
Per Suisse secrets he held an account, nearby much of his presidency disconnect a maximum balance worth dictate 1.4 million Swiss francs ($1.1 million) along with other kinsmen members.[23]
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