Chadli Bendjedid
3rd President of Algeria
In office February 9, 1979 – January 11, 1992
Preceded by	Houari Boumedienne
Succeeded by	Muhammad Boudiaf
Born	April 14, 1929 (1929-04-14) (age 78) Zeitouna, Annaba, Algeria
Died	Disappeared August 2004 Last sighted in San Cristobal, Venezuela
Political party	FLN
Spouse	Halima Ben Aissa

Chadli Bendjedid (Arabic: شاذلي بن جديد) (born April 14, 1929 at Zeitouna, near Annaba) was President of Algeria from February 9, 1979 to January 11, 1992. He was reported to have served in the French Army as a junior officer before defecting to the National Liberation Front (FLN) at the beginning of the Algerian War of Independence. After independence, he rose through the ranks, becoming head of the 2nd military region in 1964 and Colonel in 1969^[1]. He was minister of defense from November 1978 to February 1979 and became president following the death of Houari Boumédiènne. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The President is the head of state and chief executive of Algeria, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Algerian armed forces. ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Houari Boumédiènne (original name Mohamed Ben Brahim Boukharouba) (August 23, 1932 - December 27, 1978) was President of Algeria from 19 June 1965 to 27 December 1978 (Chairman of the Revolutionary Council until 12 December 1976). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Arabic redirects here. ... is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A small beach in Annaba with the city skyline in background. ... The President is the head of state and chief executive of Algeria, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Algerian armed forces. ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... The National Liberation Front , (Arabic: Jabhat al-TaḩrÄ«r al-WaÅ£anÄ«, French: Front de Libération Nationale aka FLN) is a socialist political party in Algeria. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... Also: 1969 (number) 1969 (movie) 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... A defence minister ( Commonwealth English) or defense minister ( American English) is a cabinet portfolio (position) which regulates the armed forces in a sovereign nation. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Houari Boumédienne (original name Mohamed Ben Brahim Boukharouba) (August 23, 1932 - December 27, 1978) was President of Algeria from 19 June 1965 to 27 December 1978 (Chairman of the Revolutionary Council until 12 December 1976). ...

In office, Bendjedid reduced the state's role in the economy and eased government surveillance of citizens. In the late 1980s, with the economy failing due to rapidly falling oil prices, tension rose between elements of the regime who supported Benjedid's economic liberalization policies, and those who wanted a return to the statist model. In October, 1988, youth marches protesting the regime’s austerity policies, and shouting slogans against Benjedid, evolved into massive rioting which spread to Oran, Annaba and other cities; the military’s brutal suppression of the rioters left several hundred dead. Perhaps as a political survival strategy, Bendjedid then called for and began to implement a transition towards multi-party democracy. But, in 1991, the military intervened to stop elections from bringing the Islamist Front Islamique du Salut (FIS) to power, forcing Bendjedid out of office and sparking a long and bloody Algerian Civil War.Following his stepping down, Benjedid retired from politics and adopted a low profile life style, spending most of his time with his exiled son in Venezuela, where they both were involved in import-export business with only limited success. In 2004 and following his divorce from his lifelong wife Halima Ben Aissa, Benjedids life took an unexpected turn, later in the year he was arrested twice for fraud in Carracas, released without being charged and mysteriously disappeared during a journey to neighbouring Colombia, he has been unheard of since. Synthetic motor oil For other uses, see Oil (disambiguation). ... Islamism is a political ideology derived from the conservative religious views of Muslim fundamentalism. ... The Islamic Salvation Front (تحرير الجبهة الإسلامية للإنقاذ) (French: Front Islamique du Salut) is an outlawed Islamist political party in Algeria. ... Combatants Algerian government Islamic Armed Movement (MIA) Islamic Salvation Army (AIS) others. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Politics

In Algerian politics, Chadli Ben Djedid is considered as a symbol for the nations numerous failiures as his term in office coincided with a halt in the industrial development policy, millitant socialism and engaged third world politics characteristic of the Houari Boumedienne era as well as with the adoption of various policies that transformed the country into a consumer society under the slogan 'For a better life'. Houari Boumédiènne (original name Mohamed Ben Brahim Boukharouba) (August 23, 1932 - December 27, 1978) was President of Algeria from 19 June 1965 to 27 December 1978 (Chairman of the Revolutionary Council until 12 December 1976). ...

Chadli Ben Djedid is also often held responsible for the rise of islamic fundamentalism in Algeria as contrarilly to his predecessor Houari Boumedienne, he tolerated the rise of various islamist grassroots movements during the eighties as well as the legalizing of the FIS following the riots of October 1988; various conspiracy theories have accused him of being involved in a plot aiming at transforming Algeria into a muslim fundamentalist state.

Popular culture and corruption allegations

In Algerian popular culture, Chadli Bendjedid is most often reffered to by his first name (as well as by various nicknames such as Choux Fleur - French for Calafiori, because of the resemblance of his hair to that vegetable) and is the object of numerous jokes; he is also despised for the widespread corruption during his rule, from which he as well as many of his familly members benefited.

Familly and personnal life

Chadli Bendjedid was married to Halima Ben Aissa, who is not known to have been involved in public life except for her role as first lady, they are currently divorced; his son Mahhrez Bendjedid was famous during the eighties for his extravagant lifestyle and association with prominent Algerian con man Djamel Lakhdari 'Testa Rosa' (named so for being the first to introduce a Ferrari Testa Rosa car to Algeria), the pair has been accused of embezzlement in the late eighties with Lakhdari being allegedly jailed and M. Bendjedid going to exile in Venesuela, where his uncle (the brother of C. Bendjedid) was serving as ambassador; another prominent member of Bendjedids'. Chadli is also known as a keen sportsman, practising both Tennis and Scuba Diving.

References

External links

• Biography from rulers.org

v • d • e Heads of state of Algeria
Farès • Abbas • Ben Bella • Boumédienne† • Bitat* • Bendjedid • Boudiaf • Kafi • Zéroual • Bouteflika *interim     †military