Ahmed Ouyahia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ahmed Ouyahia
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أحمد أويحيى
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Ouyahia in 2011
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| Prime Minister of Algeria | |
| In office 16 August 2017 – 12 March 2019 |
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| President | Abdelaziz Bouteflika |
| Preceded by | Abdelmadjid Tebboune |
| Succeeded by | Noureddine Bedoui |
| In office 23 June 2008 – 3 September 2012 |
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| President | Abdelaziz Bouteflika |
| Preceded by | Abdelaziz Belkhadem |
| Succeeded by | Abdelmalek Sellal |
| In office 11 August 2004 – 24 May 2006 |
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| President | Abdelaziz Bouteflika |
| Preceded by | Ali Benflis |
| Succeeded by | Abdelaziz Belkhadem |
| In office 31 December 1995 – 15 December 1998 |
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| President | Liamine Zéroual |
| Preceded by | Mokdad Sifi |
| Succeeded by | Smail Hamdani |
| Secretary General of the Democratic National Rally | |
| In office 10 June 2015 – 25 June 2019 Acting: 10 June 2015 – 5 May 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Abdelkader Bensalah |
| Succeeded by |
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| In office 26 January 1999 – 3 January 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Tahar Benaibèche |
| Succeeded by | Abdelkader Bensalah |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 July 1952 Iboudraren, Algeria |
| Political party | Democratic National Rally |
Ahmed Ouyahia (Arabic: أحمد أويحيى, romanized: Aḥmad ʾŪyaḥyā; born 2 July 1952) is an Algerian politician. He served as the prime minister of Algeria four times. These terms were from 1995 to 1998, 2004 to 2006, 2008 to 2012, and 2017 to 2019. He was also a diplomat and helped create the Democratic National Rally (RND) political party. He was the party's secretary-general. Ouyahia stepped down as prime minister in March 2019. This happened after President Bouteflika said he would not run for re-election.
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Early Life and Education
Ahmed Ouyahia was born on 2 July 1952. His birthplace was the village of Bouadnane in the Kabylie region of Algeria. He started his schooling in Algiers. Later, he attended Lycee El Idrissi (El Idrissi High School) in Algiers. He earned his Baccalauréat diploma in 1972.
In 1972, Ouyahia took an entrance exam. It was for the "National High Studies School of Administration" in Algiers. He was one of the top three students. He chose to study diplomacy. He finished his studies in 1976. After that, he did his military service. This was from 1976 to 1978. He worked with the press relations team. This was at the Algerian Presidency.
Beginning of His Career
In 1979, Ouyahia started working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was assigned to African affairs. In 1980, he became an advisor. He worked for the Algerian Ambassador in Ivory Coast until 1982. Then, he became a foreign affairs advisor. He worked at the Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations in New York.
By 1988, Ouyahia was the general director. He led the African department of the foreign affairs ministry. From 1988 to 1989, he helped represent Algeria. This was at the United Nations Security Council. He also advised the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1990 to 1991.
He led the African department until 1991. Then, he was named Ambassador to Mali. He served there from 1992 to 1993. While in Mali, he helped with peace talks. He worked on a 1992 peace agreement. This was during the Malian Tuareg rebellion. The agreement was between the Malian government and the Azawad Tuareg movement. It was called the "Pacte National" treaty. In August 1993, Ouyahia returned to Algiers. He joined the government of Redha Malek. He served as Undersecretary of State for African and Arab Affairs. He was also Secretary of State for Cooperation and Maghreb Affairs.
In April 1994, he became the cabinet director for President Liamine Zeroual. In this role, he managed political matters. This included talks with political groups. He also helped prepare for the 1995 presidential election. The president won this election in November 1995.
First and Second Times as Prime Minister
In December 1995, Ouyahia became Prime Minister. He held this job until December 1998. He resigned after Abdelaziz Bouteflika was elected president. Algeria's economy was facing challenges. There were also many public sector strikes. These issues made him less popular. This led to his resignation in December 1998. Some opposition politicians also accused him of unfair elections in 1997.
In 2000, Ouyahia was elected Secretary General. This was for the National Rally for Democracy (RND). He had helped to start this party earlier. He stepped down from this role on 5 January 2013.
Ouyahia served as the Minister of State for Justice. This was from 1999 to 2002. During this time, President Bouteflika gave him a task. He was to help secure a peace deal. This was for the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Bouteflika was also the president of the Organisation for African Unity in 2000. Ouyahia worked with Anthony Lake. He was a National Security Advisor to President Bill Clinton. A peace deal was reached. It was signed in Algiers in December 2000.
In June 2002, Ouyahia resigned. This was after his party, the RND, lost in the 2002 parliamentary election. He was then named Minister of State and Special Representative of the President. This was an honorary position. In August 2004, Ouyahia became prime minister again. This followed a political issue between President Bouteflika and Prime Minister Ali Benflis. Ouyahia served for three years. He resigned on 24 May 2006. This was due to political disagreements. These were between Ouyahia's party and Bouteflika's party, the FLN.
Economic Challenges During His Term
From October to November 2004, teachers went on strike. They were protesting low wages. The education minister, supported by Prime Minister Ouyahia, did not meet with the unions at first. The government even suspended some teachers. They threatened more actions. Only when a larger union joined the strike did the government agree to raise wages.
His resignation in May 2006 was also linked to public opinion. He was not popular because he opposed public sector strikes. He also opposed a plan to raise salaries. He supported selling off government-owned industries.
Helping in Kabylie
Ouyahia is known for helping to solve a long-standing problem. This was between protesters from his home region of Kabylie and the government. In 2005, the government worked to ease tensions. They addressed concerns from regional leaders. Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia reached an agreement. This was with Arouch leader Belaid Abrika. The agreement focused on economic and social issues. It also made regional elections possible in November 2005. Ouyahia visited opposition leaders. He also used Berber-language media to promote reconciliation.
Third and Fourth Times as Prime Minister
After being involved in international meetings in 2008, Ouyahia was again named Prime Minister. This happened on 23 June 2008. President Bouteflika appointed him. Ouyahia promised to follow the President's plans. His term ended on 3 September 2012. Abdulmalek Sellal took over his role.
Bouteflika appointed Ouyahia again in March 2014. He became Director of the Cabinet of the Presidency. This role had the rank of a Minister of State. Ouyahia was appointed prime minister for the fourth time on 15 August 2017. He took office on 16 August. He replaced Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
In October 2018, Ouyahia announced a new rule. Algeria would ban the burqa in workplaces. In March 2019, Ouyahia resigned as prime minister. This was after President Bouteflika said he would not seek re-election. This announcement followed protests across the country.
See Also
In Spanish: Ahmed Ouyahia para niños
Images for kids
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Ahmed Ouyahia and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
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Ouyahia with Donald Rumsfeld on 12 Feb. 2006
