Chadli Bendjedid was an Algerian politician who served as the third President of Algeria from 1979 to 1992. He was born on April 14, 1929, in Bouteldja, a village in the eastern part of Algeria. His early life was shaped by the colonial experience under French rule. He joined the National Liberation Army (ALN) during the Algerian War of Independence, which started in 1954, aligning himself with the revolutionary forces fighting against French colonialism. His role in the independence movement helped solidify his position in the future political landscape of Algeria.

Following Algeria’s independence in 1962, Bendjedid rapidly rose through the military ranks and political hierarchy of the country. He was a member of the National Liberation Front (FLN), the dominant political party at the time. As a military officer, he commanded various sectors and became a prominent figure in the FLN, eventually leading the influential 2nd Military Region, based in Oran. His experience and loyalty to the cause of independence earned him a respected position in the party and the government.

In 1979, after the death of President Houari Boumédiène, Bendjedid was chosen by the FLN as a compromise candidate for the presidency. His rise to power marked the beginning of a more moderate and reform-oriented period in Algerian politics. He focused on reducing the state’s control over the economy, introducing limited economic liberalization, and encouraging the private sector's involvement. His administration also aimed to address some of the social grievances that had built up under Boumédiène’s rule.

However, Bendjedid's presidency coincided with a time of growing internal and external challenges. Economic difficulties, particularly caused by a drop in oil prices in the mid-1980s, created social unrest. Algeria’s heavily state-controlled economy was vulnerable to such fluctuations, and the resulting inflation, unemployment, and dissatisfaction among the youth exacerbated the country's political instability. In response to this unrest, Bendjedid introduced a series of political reforms in the late 1980s, allowing for greater political pluralism, press freedom, and the creation of opposition parties. This led to the 1989 constitution, which officially ended the FLN’s monopoly on political power.

The liberalization process, however, also opened the door for Islamist movements to gain influence. The Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) quickly became a dominant political force, capitalizing on widespread frustration with the government. In the 1991 elections, the FIS won a significant number of seats, threatening the political dominance of the FLN. Faced with the prospect of an Islamist takeover, the military intervened, halting the electoral process and forcing Bendjedid to resign in January 1992.

His resignation marked the beginning of the Algerian Civil War, a bloody conflict between the government and various Islamist groups that lasted for more than a decade. Bendjedid largely withdrew from public life following his resignation, though he remained a figure of historical significance in Algerian politics. He passed away on October 6, 2012, in Algiers at the age of 83.

Bendjedid’s legacy is mixed. On one hand, he is remembered for initiating political and economic reforms that modernized aspects of Algerian governance and society. On the other hand, his inability to manage the rising tide of Islamist political movements and economic challenges contributed to the unrest that led to the civil war. His presidency represents a critical moment in Algerian history, where attempts at liberalization clashed with deeper societal tensions.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chadli_Bendjedid