Hocine Aït Ahmed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hocine Aït Ahmed
حسين آيت أحمد |
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Ait Ahmed during the summer of 1958
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| Born | 20 August 1926 Ain El Hammam, Tizi Ouzou Province, Algeria
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| Died | 23 December 2015 (aged 89) |
| Nationality | Algerian |
| Known for | Algerian war, Socialist Forces Front |
| Movement | FLN, CRUA, OS, FFS |
| Spouse(s) | Djamila Aït Ahmed née Toudert (m. ?–2015) |
| Children | Bouchra Aït Ahmed Jughurta Aït Ahmed. Salah Eddine Ait Ahmed. |
Hocine Aït Ahmed (Arabic: حسين آيت أحمد; August 20, 1926 – December 23, 2015) was an important politician from Algeria. He was the person who started and led a major political group that opposed the government in Algeria until 2009.
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Life and Political Journey
Hocine Aït Ahmed was born in Aït Yahia, Algeria, in 1926. He grew up to become a key figure in his country's history.
Role in the Algerian War
Aït Ahmed was one of the main leaders of the National Liberation Front (FLN). This group fought for Algeria's independence from France during the Algerian War. In 1956, he was arrested along with other FLN leaders like Ahmed Ben Bella and Mohamed Boudiaf. This happened when their plane, which was flying to Tunisia, was redirected by France to Algiers. He remained in prison for a long time.
Founding the Socialist Forces Front
After Algeria gained independence in 1962, Aït Ahmed decided to leave the new government. He believed that Algeria needed more than one political party. In September 1963, he started a new political party called the Socialist Forces Front (FFS). This party wanted to see different political ideas and groups allowed in Algeria, rather than just one ruling party.
Challenges and Exile
Because of his political views, Aït Ahmed faced difficulties. He was arrested in 1964 and faced serious charges. However, he managed to escape from El Harrach prison on May 1, 1966. After his escape, he went to live in Switzerland. There, he continued his studies and became a doctor of law.
Return to Algeria and Later Life
In 1988, there were big protests in Algeria. The Algerian president at the time, Chadli Ben Djedid, suggested a new constitution that would allow more political parties. This led to Aït Ahmed being invited to return to his home country. He came back in December 1989, leading the FFS once again.
However, he left Algeria again after President Mohamed Boudiaf was assassinated in June 1992. Despite this, he returned to Algeria several times over the years. One notable visit was for the 50th anniversary of the start of the Algerian War of liberation on November 1, 1954.
Hocine Aït Ahmed passed away at the age of 89 in Lausanne, Switzerland, on December 23, 2015. He is remembered as a strong voice for political freedom and change in Algeria.
