Benyoucef Benkhedda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benyoucef Benkhedda
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بن يوسف بن خدة
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Benkhedda in 1962
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| Head of the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic | |
| In office 9 August 1961 – 27 September 1962 |
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| Vice President | Krim Belkacem Ahmed Ben Bella Mohamed Boudiaf |
| Preceded by | Ferhat Abbas |
| Succeeded by | Ahmed ben Bella |
| Head of Government of Algeria | |
| In office 9 August 1961 – 27 September 1962 |
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| President | Himself Abderrahmane Farès |
| Preceded by | Ferhat Abbas |
| Succeeded by | Ahmed Ben Bella (as Prime Minister) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 23, 1920 Berrouaghia, Médéa Province, French Algeria |
| Died | February 4, 2003 (aged 82) Algiers, Algeria |
| Political party | FLN |
| Alma mater | University of Algiers |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Pharmacist |
Benyoucef Benkhedda (Arabic: بن يوسف بن خدة; February 23, 1920 – February 4, 2003) was an important Algerian politician. He led the third Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (GPRA). This was a government formed by the National Liberation Front (FLN) while they were fighting for Algeria's freedom. Benkhedda was a key leader during the Algerian War (1954–62). After the war ended, he was briefly the official leader of Algeria. However, other leaders soon took over.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Benyoucef Benkhedda was born in 1920 in Berrouaghia, a town in Médéa Province. His father was a Qadi, which is a judge in Islamic law. Benkhedda went to both a local Islamic school (called a Madrasah) and a French colonial school.
He later attended the Ibn Rochd high school (called a lycée) in Blida. There, he met other young Algerians who wanted their country to be free. Some of these future leaders included Mohamed Lamine Debaghine and Abane Ramdane.
After finishing high school, he studied at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Algiers in 1943. He became a pharmacist in 1953.
Early Political Steps
In 1942, Benkhedda joined the Algerian People's Party (PPA). This party was working for Algeria's independence. He met many important nationalist leaders there. A year later, he was arrested. He had been speaking out against Algerians being forced to join the French army during World War II. He was released after eight months.
Leading the Fight for Freedom
Benyoucef Benkhedda became a member of the main committee of the PPA-MTLD in 1947. He served as the general secretary from 1951 to 1954. In November 1954, he was arrested again. He was released in May 1955, partly because some French supporters of freedom helped him.
After his release, he joined the new National Liberation Front (FLN). This group was leading the armed struggle for Algeria's independence. He became an important advisor in Algiers.
Key Role in the Revolution
In August 1956, a big meeting called the Congress of Soummam took place. Benkhedda was chosen to be part of the Algerian National Revolutionary Council. He also joined the Committee of Action and Co-ordination of the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (GPRA). He worked closely with other key figures like Abane Ramdane and Larbi Ben M'hidi. These three leaders guided the revolution in Algiers, which became a center of the resistance.
Benkhedda and Abane were responsible for creating important projects. They started the newspaper El Moudjahid and helped create the General Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA). They also helped write Kassaman, which later became Algeria's national anthem.
During this time, Benkhedda had a narrow escape. He managed to get away through the sewer system of Algiers when French paratroopers tried to capture him. This happened after his friend Ben M'hidi was captured.
International Efforts
Benkhedda traveled to many countries to gain support for Algeria's independence. He visited Arab countries in 1957–58, London in 1959, and Yugoslavia in 1961. In Yugoslavia, he attended a meeting of countries that did not take sides in the Cold War. He also visited Latin America and China. He was seen as a very important leader of the Algerian fight for freedom.
On August 9, 1961, Benkhedda became the president of the provisional government. He finished the important talks with France that had been started by Ferhat Abbas. A cease-fire was announced, and France officially recognized Algeria's independence on July 3, 1962. Benkhedda was welcomed as a hero by the Algerian people.
After Independence
Soon after independence, a disagreement arose between Benkhedda's government and Ahmed Ben Bella. To avoid a conflict among Algerians, Benkhedda stepped down from his leadership role.
In 1976, Benkhedda and three other leaders from the war signed a statement. They called for a new national assembly to be elected by all citizens. They were then placed under house arrest and their property was taken. He was released in 1979.
Benkhedda wrote an important book about how the Algerian independence movement started. It was called "Les Origines du 1er Novembre 1954."
In 1989, he helped create a new political group called 'El Oumma'. Its goal was to follow the principles of the Declaration of 1 November 1954. This declaration aimed for an independent Algerian state based on Islamic principles. 'El Oumma' wanted to bring together different groups for an Islamic society. However, a new law made it illegal for parties to use the word "Islam." So, 'El Oumma' closed down in 1997.
At the same time, he also started 'Tadhamoune' with Sheikh Ahmed Sahnoune. This group spoke out against human rights problems after a military takeover in 1992.
Later Life and Legacy
Benyoucef Benkhedda lived a quiet life after his political career. He ran a pharmacy in Algiers. He passed away in his home in Algiers on February 4, 2003, after a long illness. Many people attended his funeral. He was buried next to his long-time friend, Saad Dahlab. The University of Algiers was later named in his honor. He had three sons.
See also
In Spanish: Benyoucef Benkhedda para niños
- Algerian War of Independence
- National Liberation Front (Algeria)
- Abane Ramdane
- Ferhat Abbas
- Larbi Ben M'hidi
