Ahmed Ben Bella, former president of Algeria, is released after fourteen years in prison

Date: 4 Jul 1979
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Ahmed Ben Bella, former president of Algeria, is released after fourteen years in prison

Former president of Algeria, Ahmed Ben Bella, was instrumental in Algeria’s fight for independence from France. He became the country’s premier in 1962 and was elected president in 1963. Bella‘s popularity began to decline after his presidency, following his eccentric and arrogant behavior coupled with his increasingly autocratic rule. Bella’s government was overthrown by Houari Boumedienne, his close friend in 1965. He was placed under arrest for the next 14 years. He was released on 4 July 1979 and placed under house arrest until 1980. Bella died on 11 April 2012.

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01Boddy-Evans A. Ahmed Ben Bella Pan-Africanist and First President of Algeria from African History [online] Available at: https://africanhistory.about.com [Accessed on 25 July 2012]
02Bookrags Ahmed Ben Bella
03Biography[online] Available at: www.bookrags.com [Accessed on 25 June 2012]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, June 27). Ahmed Ben Bella, former president of Algeria, is released after fourteen years in prison. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0087261

South African History Online (2012) 'Ahmed Ben Bella, former president of Algeria, is released after fourteen years in prison', South African History Online, 27 June. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0087261 (Accessed: 27 July 2026).

South African History Online, Ahmed Ben Bella, former president of Algeria, is released after fourteen years in prison [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0087261, (accessed 27 July 2026).

"Ahmed Ben Bella, former president of Algeria, is released after fourteen years in prison." South African History Online, 27 June 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0087261. Accessed 27 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Ahmed Ben Bella, former president of Algeria, is released after fourteen years in prison." South African History Online. June 27, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0087261.