Lakhdar Bouregaa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lakhdar Bouregaa
|
|
|---|---|
Bouregaa in Military Uniform
|
|
| Born | 15 March 1933 El Omaria, French Algeria
|
| Died | 4 November 2020 (aged 87) El Biar, Algeria
|
| Allegiance |  National Liberation Army |
|
Rank
|
Commander |
| Unit | Wilaya IV |
|
Conflicts
|
Algerian War |
Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".
Lakhdar Bouregaa (Arabic: لخضر بورقعة; 15 March 1933 – 4 November 2020) was an important figure in Algeria's fight for independence. He was a Commander in the National Liberation Army from 1956 to 1962. This army helped Algeria become free from French rule.
After Algeria gained independence, Bouregaa continued to be involved in politics. He helped start the Socialist Forces Front in 1963. Later in his life, he became a key leader during the big protests in Algeria from 2019 to 2020.
Contents
Lakhdar Bouregaa's Life Story
Early Life and the Algerian War
Lakhdar Bouregaa was born in El Omaria, Algeria, on March 15, 1933. He served in the French military for a short time. However, in March 1956, he left to join the National Liberation Front. This group was fighting for Algeria's freedom.
During the Algerian War, he became a Commander in the National Liberation Army. He led the Wilaya IV unit between 1959 and 1960. He worked under Commander Youcef Khatib, who was also a leader in the Wilaya IV unit.
After Algeria's Independence
Algeria officially became independent in the summer of 1962. After this, there was a political disagreement among the leaders. Bouregaa was against a group called the Oujda Group. This group was led by Houari Boumédiène and Ahmed Ben Bella.
In 1963, Bouregaa helped create a new political group called the Socialist Forces Front. He worked with other important leaders like Krim Belkacem and Hocine Aït Ahmed. This group wanted to bring about social changes in Algeria.
Bouregaa was arrested on July 3, 1967. He spent seven years in prison and was released in 1975. In 2010, he wrote a book about his experiences during these times.
A Voice for Change in Later Years
In 2019, large protests began in Algeria. People were protesting against the government and President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Lakhdar Bouregaa strongly supported these protests. His support helped lead to President Bouteflika's resignation.
On June 26, Bouregaa attended a meeting to discuss a "democratic alternative" for Algeria. He made statements against General Ahmed Gaid Salah, who was a powerful figure in the government. Bouregaa was arrested on June 30 after these statements. He was accused of speaking against the army.
Many protestors demanded Bouregaa's release. They said they would not talk with the government until he and other arrested protestors were set free. His lawyers, Mostefa Bouchachi and Abdelghani Badi, defended him.
Final Years and Legacy
In October 2019, Bouregaa considered going on a hunger strike. However, his lawyers and supporters convinced him not to, because of his age and health. He then said he would not accept his own release unless all other protestors were also freed.
He was released from prison on January 2, 2020, along with other activists. Later, in May, he was fined for "attacking public bodies."
Lakhdar Bouregaa passed away from COVID-19 on November 4, 2020, in El Biar. He was 87 years old. He was buried the next day at Cimetière Sidi Yahia in Algiers. He is remembered as a brave leader who fought for Algeria's freedom and for a better future for his country.
Books
- Témoin sur l’assassinat de la Révolution (2010)
