Abdelkader Bensalah Biography
Abdelkader Bensalah (November 24, 1941 – September 22, 2021) was an Algerian politician who served as the country’s acting head of state from April 9 to December 19, 2019. He took office after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned because of huge street protests known as the Hirak movement. Before that moment, Bensalah spent more than 40 years in public service as a diplomat, journalist, parliament member, and speaker of the upper house of parliament. Many people saw him as a calm and loyal figure who always stayed close to the centers of power without seeking the spotlight. This biography tells his story in a simple and clear way.
Abdelkader Bensalah Early Life
Abdelkader Bensalah was born on November 24, 1941, in the small village of Fellaoucene, near Tlemcen in western Algeria. At that time, Algeria was still under French colonial rule. His family lived a modest rural life. Like many children of his generation, he grew up hearing stories of resistance against the French. When he was only 18 years old, in 1959, he joined the National Liberation Front (FLN), the main group fighting for independence. The Algerian War ended in 1962, and the young Bensalah became part of the first free generation of his country.
Abdelkader Bensalah Career
Bensalah’s long career can be divided into clear stages:
Journalism and culture (1970–1977) After independence, he worked in Beirut, Lebanon, as director of the Algerian Center for Information and Culture from 1970 to 1974. When he returned home, he spent three years as a journalist at the state newspaper El Chaâb.
Diplomacy (1985–1993) From 1985 to 1993 he served as Algeria’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia. During these years he helped build strong economic and political ties between the two countries.
Parliament and leadership roles He was elected to the People’s National Assembly several times starting in 1977. In 1997 he joined the newly created Democratic National Rally (RND) party. From 2002 to 2019 he was president of the Council of the Nation, the upper house of parliament. This made him the second most important official in the country under the constitution.
Acting President of Algeria (April 9 – December 19, 2019) When President Bouteflika resigned on April 2, 2019, the constitution required the speaker of the upper house to take over for a maximum of 90 days and organize new elections. Bensalah followed the rules exactly, but massive protests continued because many citizens wanted deeper changes. He postponed elections twice and finally handed power to the newly elected president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on December 19, 2019.
Abdelkader Bensalah Personal Life
Bensalah kept his private life away from the public eye. He was married and had children, but he rarely spoke about his family in interviews. Friends and colleagues described him as a polite, discreet, and religious man who preferred reading and quiet evenings to public events. He spoke Arabic and French fluently and maintained a simple lifestyle even when he held high office.
Abdelkader Bensalah Health Struggles
In his later years Bensalah suffered from cancer. The illness became worse in 2020 and 2021. In early 2021 he was also infected with COVID-19, which weakened him further. He spent his final weeks in the military hospital Aïn Nadja in Algiers. On September 22, 2021, just eleven days after the death of former president Bouteflika, Abdelkader Bensalah passed away at the age of 79. The government announced three days of national mourning, and he was buried in El Alia Cemetery in Algiers, where many Algerian leaders rest.
Conclusion
Abdelkader Bensalah lived through some of the most important moments in modern Algerian history: the war of independence, the building of a new nation, the difficult 1990s, the long Bouteflika era, and finally the Hirak protests of 2019. He never became the most famous leader, but he was always present when the country needed steady hands. Some people praised his loyalty and calm nature; others criticized him for staying too close to the old system. Whatever view one takes, his life shows how one quiet man from a small village could serve his country for more than fifty years.
FAQs
When and where was Abdelkader Bensalah born?
He was born on November 24, 1941, in Fellaoucene near Tlemcen, Algeria.
Did he fight in the Algerian War of Independence?
Yes, he joined the National Liberation Front (FLN) in 1959 when he was 18 years old.
What was his highest position?
He was acting President of Algeria from April 9 to December 19, 2019.
Why did he become president in 2019?
President Bouteflika resigned on April 2, 2019. According to Article 102 of the constitution, the president of the Council of the Nation becomes acting head of state.
How long could he stay as acting president?
The constitution allowed a maximum of 90 days, but elections were postponed, so he stayed in office until December 19, 2019.
Which political party did he belong to?
Early in his career he was with the FLN. In 1997 he joined the Democratic National Rally (RND).
When did Abdelkader Bensalah die?
He died on September 22, 2021, at the age of 79.
What was the cause of his death?
He had been fighting cancer for several years, and a COVID-19 infection made his condition worse.
Where is he buried?
He is buried in El Alia Cemetery in Algiers.
Was he close to President Bouteflika?
Yes, they were political allies for many years, and Bensalah often represented Bouteflika at official events when the president’s health was poor.