Yacef Saadi (R), military leader of the FLN National Liberation Front networks of the autonomous zone of Algiers, poses after being captured at the end of the “Battle of Algiers”. Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images Maria Flood, University of Liverpool Saadi Yacef, the Algerian revolutionary leader who fought for his country’s liberation from French colonial rule, died on 10 …
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Bouteflika ruled for two decades: his legacy will haunt Algerians for many years to come
Late Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s, seen in this 2004 photograph, is one leader whose legacy will linger for long. Photo by Hocine Zaourar/AFP via Getty Images Yahia H. Zoubir, Kedge Business School Abdelaziz Bouteflika ruled Algeria with an iron fist for 20 years – from 1999 to 2019. He was a political figure, one of the initial architects of Algeria’s …
Read More »How African Union members came to share power despite themselves
The establishment of the African Union shows how social context is important in international organisations. Getty Images John J. Hogan, University of Groningen The African Union (AU) held its first summit in 2002, establishing itself as a new international organisation. It also launched a new vision for African security cooperation. Nearly two decades later, it is worth reflecting on the …
Read More »Why, after one year, protests continue to rock Algeria
Algerian protesters wave the national flag during a demonstration in the capital Algiers. Photo by Ryad Kramdi/AFP via Getty Images Yahia H. Zoubir, Kedge Business School There have been weekly peaceful protests in Algeria for the past year. Early last year protests demanding political transformation, led to the removal by the military of veteran leader, Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Elections were held, …
Read More »The poetic power of Idir, the artist who took Algerian music to the world
Salvatore di Nolfiepa/EFE/EPA Hugo Hadji, SOAS, University of London The death of Algerian icon Idir has brought an important chapter of Algerian music to a close. Through his brilliant career, Idir modernised and promoted the richness of Kabyle melodies and poetry, popularised North African culture, and advocated for unity and tolerance both in Algeria and in France. Looking at Idir’s …
Read More »Idir: how a song from the village took Algerian music to the world
David Wolff-Patrick/WireImage/Getty Images Jane E. Goodman, Indiana University In the 1990s I had the good fortune to meet with the late Algerian singing star Idir (Hamid Cheriet 1949-2020). We chatted for several hours in a café outside the Berber Cultural Association in Paris. I was doing research on what by then was called New Kabyle Song (la nouvelle chanson Kabyle). …
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