Algeria's first president Ahmed Ben Bella dies
The first President of Independent Algeria (1962-1965), Ahmed Benbella, died on Wednesday in Algiers at the age of 96 years, his relatives told APS.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Algeria-s-first...
Ahmed Benbella who died at his family home in Algiers, had been admitted, twice, more than a month ago to Ain
Naadja military hospital.
Founding member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), he presided since 2007, over the Group of the Wise of the African Union (AU).
Ahmed Ben Bella was an untiring nationalist activist and officer of the Algerian Revolution The first president of independent Algeria (1962-1965), Ahmed Ben Bella, died Wednesday in Algiers at the age of 96.
He was an indefatigable nationalist militant who climbed the ladder of responsibility in the national movement and played a leading role in the liberation struggle of the Algerian people.
Born December 25, 1916 in Maghnia (Tlemcen), Ahmed Ben Bella joined the Algerian People’s Party (PPP), following the massacres on May 8, 1945 of the Algerian Population by French colonialism. Prior to this he.fought with distinction with the Free French Forces in Italy during World War II and won five gallantry medals.He was decorated for shooting down a German plane over the French port of Marseille, and for his service in the battle of Monte Cassino in Italy in 1944.
He was responsible for the Oran region of the Secret Organization (OS), under which he had participated in the attack on the position of Oran in 1949 beside of Hocine Ait Ahmed.One year later, he joined the Central Committee of the Movement for the triumph of freedom and democracy (MTLD), before presiding over the OS replacing Hocine Ait Ahmed.
Arrested in Algiers in May 1951, he was jailed for 7 years for endangering the security of the state. Imprisoned in Blida, he managed to escape, two years later, accompanied by Ali Mahsas.
In 1953, Ahmed Ben Bella joined Ait Ahmed and Mohamed Khider in Cairo (Egypt) before they undertake the mission to transport weapons and ammunition to Algeria, following the outbreak of the war of national liberation, in November 1954.
Member of external delegation of the National Liberation Front (FLN), Ben Bella was arrested by French security services, following the interception of the "Atlas Air" aircraft on the way back from Morocco with Mohamed Boudiaf, Hocine Ait Ahmed,Mohamed Khider and Mostefa Lacheraf.
He was interned in the Ile d’Aix until March 18, 1962, the date of signing of the Evian Accords.
Member of the National Council of the Algerian Revolution (CNRA) of 1956 to 1962, Ahmed Ben Bella was successively Vice-President of Council (in custody) September 19, 1958, on January 18, 1960 and finally August 27, 1961 (still in custody).
On 27 September 1962, he became chairman and head of government. He was elected on 15 September 1963, President, Chairman of the Board.
Ousted on June 19, 1965, Ahmed Ben Bella remained under house arrest until July 1979. He was assigned subsequently, at the residence in M’sila before being released in October 1980 when he went into exile in Switzerland.He was officially pardoned in 1990.
Ahmed Ben Bella has supported the national reconciliation policy implemented by President of Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika.He was President of the Group of the Wise of the African Union (AU), since 2007, a body to prevent and intervene in crises in the continent. He was notably the author of a number of texts notably "Islam and the Algerian revolution".
Naadja military hospital.
Founding member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), he presided since 2007, over the Group of the Wise of the African Union (AU).
Ahmed Ben Bella was an untiring nationalist activist and officer of the Algerian Revolution The first president of independent Algeria (1962-1965), Ahmed Ben Bella, died Wednesday in Algiers at the age of 96.
He was an indefatigable nationalist militant who climbed the ladder of responsibility in the national movement and played a leading role in the liberation struggle of the Algerian people.
Born December 25, 1916 in Maghnia (Tlemcen), Ahmed Ben Bella joined the Algerian People’s Party (PPP), following the massacres on May 8, 1945 of the Algerian Population by French colonialism. Prior to this he.fought with distinction with the Free French Forces in Italy during World War II and won five gallantry medals.He was decorated for shooting down a German plane over the French port of Marseille, and for his service in the battle of Monte Cassino in Italy in 1944.
He was responsible for the Oran region of the Secret Organization (OS), under which he had participated in the attack on the position of Oran in 1949 beside of Hocine Ait Ahmed.One year later, he joined the Central Committee of the Movement for the triumph of freedom and democracy (MTLD), before presiding over the OS replacing Hocine Ait Ahmed.
Arrested in Algiers in May 1951, he was jailed for 7 years for endangering the security of the state. Imprisoned in Blida, he managed to escape, two years later, accompanied by Ali Mahsas.
In 1953, Ahmed Ben Bella joined Ait Ahmed and Mohamed Khider in Cairo (Egypt) before they undertake the mission to transport weapons and ammunition to Algeria, following the outbreak of the war of national liberation, in November 1954.
Member of external delegation of the National Liberation Front (FLN), Ben Bella was arrested by French security services, following the interception of the "Atlas Air" aircraft on the way back from Morocco with Mohamed Boudiaf, Hocine Ait Ahmed,Mohamed Khider and Mostefa Lacheraf.
He was interned in the Ile d’Aix until March 18, 1962, the date of signing of the Evian Accords.
Member of the National Council of the Algerian Revolution (CNRA) of 1956 to 1962, Ahmed Ben Bella was successively Vice-President of Council (in custody) September 19, 1958, on January 18, 1960 and finally August 27, 1961 (still in custody).
On 27 September 1962, he became chairman and head of government. He was elected on 15 September 1963, President, Chairman of the Board.
Ousted on June 19, 1965, Ahmed Ben Bella remained under house arrest until July 1979. He was assigned subsequently, at the residence in M’sila before being released in October 1980 when he went into exile in Switzerland.He was officially pardoned in 1990.
Ahmed Ben Bella has supported the national reconciliation policy implemented by President of Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika.He was President of the Group of the Wise of the African Union (AU), since 2007, a body to prevent and intervene in crises in the continent. He was notably the author of a number of texts notably "Islam and the Algerian revolution".
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Algeria-s-first...