# Abd al-Aziz Boutafliqa

> President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019

**Wikidata**: [Q57308](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57308)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdelaziz_Bouteflika)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/abd-al-aziz-boutafliqa

## Summary

Abd al-Aziz Boutafliqa was born on March 2, 1937, in Oujda [1][2][3][4][5]. He worked as a politician, diplomat, and revolutionary within the field of politics [6]. His education took place at the University of Algiers 1 . He practiced the religion of Islam .Boutafliqa held several significant positions, including Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria from 1963 to 1979 [7][8]. He served as President of the United Nations General Assembly from 1974 to 1975 [7][8]. Later, he was President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019 and chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity from 1999 to 2000 [7][8]. His spouse was Amal Triki, whom he married in 1990 [9].His honors included the Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the Collar of the Spanish Order of the Civil Merit, the Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria, the Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry, the Order of José Martí, and the Order of the Republic of Serbia, along with two additional awards [10]. He died on September 17, 2021, in Zéralda due to cardiac arrest [11][12].

## Summary
Abd al-Aziz Boutafliqa, also known as Abdelaziz Bouteflika, was an Algerian politician, diplomat, and revolutionary who served as the President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019. A prominent figure in the nation's history, he was affiliated with the National Liberation Front and participated in the Algerian War prior to his presidency. His two-decade tenure as head of state defined a significant era in the country's political landscape.

## Biography
- **Born:** March 2, 1937
- **Nationality:** Algerian
- **Education:** University of Algiers 1
- **Known for:** Serving as President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019; participation in the Algerian War.
- **Employer(s):** Government of Algeria, National Liberation Front, Revolutionary Council
- **Field(s):** Politics, Diplomacy

## Contributions
Abd al-Aziz Boutafliqa's primary contributions are rooted in his long-standing involvement in the Algerian independence movement and his subsequent leadership of the country. As a revolutionary, he participated in the Algerian War (1954–1962), the conflict that led to Algeria's independence from France. Following independence, he became a member of the National Liberation Front, the political party established in 1954 that led the independence movement. He also served as a member of the Revolutionary Council, a former ruling body of Algeria established in 1965. His most significant contribution was his twenty-year tenure as President of Algeria (1999–2019), where he operated within the country's semi-presidential system.

## FAQs
**When did Abd al-Aziz Boutafliqa serve as President of Algeria?**
He served as the President of Algeria from 1999 until 2019, holding the office for two decades.

**What was Abd al-Aziz Boutafliqa's role in the Algerian War?**
He was a revolutionary who participated in the Algerian War, which was the conflict between France and the Algerian independence movement lasting from 1954 to 1962.

**Where did Abd al-Aziz Boutafliqa receive his education?**
He attended the University of Algiers 1, a public university founded in 1909 and located in the capital city of Algiers.

**What political parties was Abd al-Aziz Boutafliqa affiliated with?**
He was a member of the National Liberation Front, a political party founded in 1954, and the Revolutionary Council, a former ruling council of Algeria established in 1965.

**What international awards did Abd al-Aziz Boutafliqa receive?**
He received numerous state awards from various countries, including the Order of José Martí (Cuba), the Order of Friendship (Russia), the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, and the Order of the Republic of Serbia.

## Why They Matter
Abd al-Aziz Boutafliqa matters due to his enduring influence on the modern political history of Algeria. As a participant in the Algerian War, he is connected to the foundational event that established the nation's sovereignty in 1962. His leadership as President for 20 years places him at the center of Algeria's contemporary development, navigating the country through the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Furthermore, his extensive collection of international awards highlights his significant diplomatic standing and Algeria's relationships with global powers, including Russia, Italy, and Latin American nations.

## Notable For
- Serving as the President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019.
- Participation in the Algerian War (1954–1962) as a revolutionary.
- Membership in the National Liberation Front (inception 1954).
- Membership in the Revolutionary Council (inception 1965).
- Receiving the Order of José Martí.
- Receiving the Order of the Republic of Serbia.
- Receiving the National Order of Merit (Algeria).
- Receiving the Order of Friendship (Russian Federation).
- Receiving the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
- Receiving the Order of Civil Merit (Spain).
- Receiving the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria.
- Receiving the Order of Prince Henry (Portugal).
- Receiving the Hungarian Order of Merit.
- Receiving the Order of Francisco de Miranda (Venezuela).
- Receiving the Order of the Republic (Tunisia).
- Receiving the National Order of Mali.
- Receiving the National Maltese Order of Merit.
- Receiving the Order of the Sun of Peru.
- Receiving the Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil).
- Receiving the Order of Merit (Chile).
- Receiving the Grand Order of Mugunghwa (South Korea).

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Abd al-Aziz Boutafliqa was born on March 2, 1937. He pursued higher education at the University of Algiers 1, a prominent public academic institution located in Algiers that was founded in 1909. This university is known for being a member of organizations such as the Mediterranean Universities Union and the Association of African Universities.

### Revolutionary and Political Career
Boutafliqa's career was deeply intertwined with the struggle for Algerian independence. He participated in the Algerian War, a conflict lasting from 1954 to 1962 between France and the Algerian independence movement. Following the war, he became involved with the National Liberation Front, the political party that spearheaded the independence effort and was established on October 23, 1954. He was also a member of the Revolutionary Council, a body that served as the ruling council of Algeria starting on June 19, 1965.

### Presidency
Abd al-Aziz Boutafliqa held the highest office in the Algerian government, serving as the President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019. Algeria operates as a semi-presidential republic with a capital in Algiers, and during his tenure, the nation was a member of international organizations such as the United Nations, the African Union, and OPEC. His presidency ended in 2019, preceding the term of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

### Diplomacy and Awards
Throughout his career, Boutafliqa received significant international recognition in the form of state awards and orders of merit. These honors reflect his diplomatic engagement with nations across Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia. Notable awards include:

*   **Americas:** The Order of José Martí (Cuba), the Order of Francisco de Miranda (Venezuela), the Order of the Sun of Peru, and the Order of Merit (Chile).
*   **Europe:** The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the Order of Civil Merit (Spain), the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria, the Order of Prince Henry (Portugal), the Hungarian Order of Merit, the National Maltese Order of Merit, and the Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil).
*   **Africa and Asia:** The Order of the Republic (Tunisia), the National Order of Mali, the Order of the Republic of Serbia, the Order of Friendship (Russian Federation), and the Grand Order of Mugunghwa (South Korea).
*   **National Honors:** He was also a recipient of the National Order of Merit from Algeria.

### Personal Life and Death
Abd al-Aziz Boutafliqa passed away on September 17, 2021. He is recorded under various names, including Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and is classified within the domains of politics, diplomacy, and revolutionary activity. His life and work remain a subject of study within the context of Algerian history and international relations.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Dictionary of African Biography
4. [Source](http://www.jeuneafrique.com/225294/politique/alg-rie-bouteflika-et-les-femmes/)
5. [Abdelaziz Bouteflika: Algerian leader resigns amid protests. BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47795108)
6. [Algeria's president Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigns after 20 years. The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/02/algeria-latest-news-president-abdelaziz-bouteflika-resigns)
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. [Source](http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. [Algeria's former President Bouteflika dies at 84](https://www.reuters.com/world/algerias-former-president-bouteflika-dies-84-2021-09-17/)
11. IMDb
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
14. AlKindi
15. Munzinger Personen
16. [Source](https://www.elwatan.com/edition/actualite/le-president-abdelaziz-bouteflika-nest-plus-17-09-2021)
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. BBC Things