Famous Algerian Leaders

Abdelaziz Bouteflika is an Algerian politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1963 to 1979. In 1999, he became the seventh president of Algeria and served in that position for nearly 20 years, becoming Algeria's longest-serving head of state. During his presidency, Abdelaziz Bouteflika oversaw the end of the Algerian Civil War.

Ahmed Ben Bella, Algeria’s first president, had humble beginnings, as the son of a farmer and small-time businessman. He once went to prison after robbing a post office to fund his revolutionary operations and later formed the National Liberation Front to fight against the French colonial reign.

Masinissa was a 2nd-century BC king of the North African kingdom of Numidia. While he initially fought against the Romans, supporting Carthage in Spain, he later joined the Roman forces and emerged victorious in the Battle of the Great Plains. He ruled for over 5 decades, until age 90.

Algerian army colonel Houari Boumediene was part of the rebellion against the French for his country’s independence. He became the president of Algeria following the coup of 1965. While he maintained cordial relations with the Soviet bloc, he also strengthened his country’s industrial ties with the West.

Algerian revolutionary leader Muhammad Boudiaf was one of the co-founders of the Front de Libération Nationale. Following Algeria’s independence, he opposed the leadership of Ahmed Ben Bella and was exiled for the next 27 years. He returned to head a military-backed council of state but was assassinated soon after.

A co-founder of the Algerian nationalist political party Front de Libération Nationale, Larbi Ben M'hidi was a revolutionary leader who made a prominent contribution to the Algerian war of independence. He was eventually captured and executed by the French forces but is remembered as a national hero.

Former prime minister of Algeria, Abdelaziz Djerad initially taught political science at the University of Algiers and also headed the Algerian Agency for International Cooperation. The Independent party leader later became the Algerian ambassador to Sweden. He has also penned several books and has headed the Algerian national school of administration.

Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi had a major role in his country’s independence struggle against France and was part of the Front de Libération Nationale. He had also been the Algerian ambassador to the UK, the Arab League, Egypt, and Sudan, and later became Algeria’s foreign minister.

Former Algerian president Chadli Bendjedid is remembered for introducing several democratic reforms and establishing the multi-party system. In the 1980s, he faced massive riots due to a complete collapse of the oil and gas revenue system. He was put under house arrest in the wake of the Algerian Civil War.

Liamine Zeroual is an Algerian politician who served as the President of Algeria from 1994 to 1999. A general officer in the Algerian Army, Zeroual also served as the Minister of Defence from 10 July 1993 to 11 April 1994.

Ferhat Abbas was an Algerian politician and nationalist. He is best remembered for advocating equal political rights for Algerian Muslims living in France. He also worked towards coercing the French government to grant citizenship for Algerian Muslims. Today, Ferhat Abbas is remembered as a revolutionary Algerian nationalist.

Rabah Bitat was an Algerian politician and nationalist. He is best remembered for his service as the interim President of Algeria from 1978 to 1979. He was appointed president after the demise of Houari Boumédiène. Rabah Bitat also served as the President of the People's National Assembly of Algeria from 1977 to 1990.

Ahmed Ouyahia is an Algerian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Algeria on four occasions between 1995 and 2019. An important politician and diplomat, Ouyahia is credited with co-founding the Democratic National Rally. He also served as the party's secretary general on two occasions. In 2019, Ahmed Ouyahia was arrested for crimes related to corruption.

Messali Hadj was an Algerian politician best remembered for his work that aimed at achieving the Algerian independence from French colonial rule. Referred to as the father of Algerian nationalism, Hadj co-founded nationalist organizations like the Étoile Nord-Africaine. Messali Hadj is also credited with founding the Algerian National Movement.

Abbassi Madani was an Algerian politician best remembered for his service as the president of a political party called the Islamic Salvation Front. He also took part in the Algerian War of Independence and planted a bomb at a radio facility, which led to his arrest on 17 November 1954. He remained in prison until Algeria's independence in 1962.

Sabri Boukadoum is an Algerian diplomat and politician. He is best known for his service as the Acting Prime Minister of Algeria in 2019. He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2019 to 2021. Since 2013, Sabri Boukadoum has been an important member of the diplomatic team headed by the Algerian government.

Abdelmalek Sellal is an Algerian politician best known for his service as the Prime Minister of Algeria on two occasions; from 2012 to 2014 and again from 2014 to 2017. Sellal is also known for his service as the Minister of the Interior, Minister of Youth and Sports, Minister of Public Works, Minister of Transport, and Minister of Water Resources.

Benyoucef Benkhedda was an Algerian politician who played an important role during the Algerian War of Independence. At the end of the war, Benkhedda briefly served as the Head of Government of Algeria from 1961 to 1962. 

Abdelaziz Belkhadem is an Algerian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Algeria from 24 May 2006 to 23 June 2008. An important and influential politician, Belkhadem also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs between 2000 and 2005. From 2005 to 2006, Abdelaziz Belkhadem was the Personal Representative of Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Abdelhamid Mehri was an Algerian soldier, resistance fighter, and politician. He is best remembered for his role in the military coup d'état led by Houari Boumédiène. After Boumédiène's death in 1979, Abdelhamid Mehri was made a member of the National Liberation Front's central committee. 

Moussa Benhamadi was an Algerian researcher and politician. An important member of the National Liberation Front, Benhamadi served as the Minister of Communication from 2010 to 2012. Moussa Benhamadi is credited with founding Algeria's first internet provider in 1985.   

Lakhdar Bouregaa was an Algerian militant who served as the commanding officer of the National Liberation Army (ALN) from 1956 to 1962. In 1963, he co-founded the Socialist Forces Front. Lakhdar Bouregaa also played an important role during the Revolution of Smiles from 2019 until his death in 2020.

Abdelhamid Temmar is an Algerian politician who served as the Minister of Investment during the premiership of Abdelaziz Belkhadem from 2006 to 2008. Abdelhamid Temmar also served as the Minister of Industry and Investment Promotion during the premiership of Ahmed Ouyahia.