Mohamed Boudiaf was a prominent Algerian political leader and revolutionary figure, born on June 23, 1919, in Ouled Madi, a village in the M'Sila Province of Algeria. He played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence from French colonial rule. Boudiaf was one of the founding members of the National Liberation Front (FLN), a political organization established in 1954 to lead the fight against French control in Algeria. The FLN's military arm, the National Liberation Army (ALN), carried out guerrilla warfare, and Boudiaf was involved in coordinating efforts both internally and externally.

During the Algerian War of Independence, Boudiaf became a key figure in organizing the movement’s political strategies and international alliances. In 1956, he, along with other FLN leaders, was captured by the French military while traveling to negotiate with international bodies. Despite his imprisonment in France, Boudiaf's influence within the FLN remained strong. After Algeria achieved independence in 1962, a power struggle within the FLN led to the rise of Ahmed Ben Bella as president, while Boudiaf was sidelined. Disillusioned with the direction of the country under Ben Bella’s leadership, Boudiaf opposed the authoritarian regime that was being established.

In 1963, Mohamed Boudiaf founded the "Party of the Socialist Revolution" (PRS), aiming to create a political alternative to the FLN, but his opposition to the government led to his exile. He spent nearly 28 years in exile, mostly in Morocco, where he lived a quiet life away from active politics. During this period, Algeria faced several challenges, including political instability, economic struggles, and the rise of Islamist movements.

In 1992, after years of political turmoil and the threat of an Islamist takeover following the rise of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), the Algerian military invited Boudiaf to return from exile and assume leadership of the country. He was appointed as the head of the High Council of State (HCE), a temporary governing body created to stabilize the nation. Boudiaf returned with a mandate to lead reforms and curb the growing Islamist influence.

However, his presidency was short-lived. On June 29, 1992, just six months after his return, Boudiaf was assassinated while giving a speech in Annaba. His assassination shocked the nation and raised questions about the power struggle within Algeria's military and political elite. The official version of events blamed a bodyguard for the killing, but many believe that deeper political forces were involved in orchestrating his death.

Mohamed Boudiaf is remembered as a revolutionary leader with strong nationalist ideals who sought to put Algeria on a path to democracy and reform. His life and legacy continue to be a subject of interest and debate in Algerian political discourse.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Boudiaf