Abdelaziz Bouteflika

About

Abdelaziz Bouteflika was an Algerian politician who served as the President of Algeria from 1999 until his resignation in April 2019. Born on March 2, 1937, in Oujda, Morocco, Bouteflika became involved in the Algerian liberation struggle against French colonial rule at a young age. He played a key role in the Algerian War of Independence and became a prominent member of the National Liberation Front (FLN). After independence in 1962, he held various positions in the government, including Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1963 to 1979. Bouteflika rose to prominence in the 1990s during the civil war in Algeria, advocating for peace and reconciliation. Upon becoming president, he focused on national recovery, economic reform, and the promotion of social stability. However, his later years in office were marred by widespread protests against his attempts to run for a fifth term in 2019, which ultimately led to his resignation. Bouteflika's presidency was characterized by significant controversy, including the issues of corruption and authoritarianism.