What you didn...t know about Bouteflika the man

The second day of March 1937, the 'Mokaddem' of ...Zaouïa El Hibrya... in Oujda, who had just had a child, went to see the Cheikh of the Zaouia and asked for blessing of his son. The Cheikh took the child in his arms and recited verses from the Koran. He watched the child in the eye and said: ...This child will have an important destiny....

• The child was Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was born into a modest Algerian family living in Oujda. Relatives of his family say his real name was ‘Lazaar Abdelkader.’ His brothers and sisters are Abdelghani, Mustapha, Said, Abderrahim and Latifa. His half brothers and sisters are Fatima, Yamina and Aicha who were the daughters of the first wife Bekaïd Radia.
  
  Bouteflika, genius of his time
  
  
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  Born on the second of March 1937 in Oujda, he is the son of Ahmed and Ghezlaoui Mansouria. He grew up in Oujda where he studied at Sidi Ziane School, then El Hoceinia School, founded by Prince Hassan II. He learned the Koran and joined the theatre group where he played in a piece entitled ‘Release of a free man by a slave.’
  
  Bouteflika has learned the prayer from an early age and always practises it on time. His family says that his first book was the Koran. He also learned horse riding, shooting and swimming. He grew up in the ‘El Kadiria Zaouïa’ in Oujda. He attended high school in Abdel Moumen College in Oujda, where he was a genius with his excellent marks.
  
  Back in Algeria, more exactly in Nedrouma the village of Ouled Amer in Tlemcen, he joined the ranks of the National Liberation Army when he was only 19 years.
  
  At the NLA, he was charged with two missions in 1957 and 1958. He was appointed General Controller in the Wilaya five, and then promoted to the rank of officer in the Wilaya five before joining the command center of armed operations in the western region. Bouteflika has always been known for his modesty and his honesty. Since his young age he was imbued with wisdom, he loved listening to his interlocutors.
  
  In 1960, ‘Abdelkader El Mali’ went to the south border to run the Mali front, created to spoil colonial policy to divide the country. In 1961 he went secretly to France to meet the historical leaders in detention.
  
  At the Wilaya five, he became acquainted with the late President Boumediene. A friendship is born between the two men which lasted until independence, then until the death of Houari Boumediene.
  
  Bouteflika has had his driving license the first years of independence, but has never been a fan of driving.
  
  Maquisard, Minister and President of the Republic
  
  According to his relatives, Bouteflika was to deal with foreign leaders. He succeeded, during the War of Independence, thanks to his close relationship with the president of Mali at the time, to convince him to supply arms to Algeria. The President of Mali then opened all doors to aid and support to Algeria.
  
  After independence, Bouteflika held the post of minister of youth sports and tourism in the first government of independent Algeria, when he was only 25 years. In 1963, he became a member of the Legislative Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was elected, el 1964, member of central committee and political bureau.
  
  An ‘Omega’ watch and a phone card ‘Product of my country’
  
  Bouteflika love, as his relatives say, 'Etterbiaâ', the place where people together to learn sciences in Nedrouma in the Department of Tlemcen. He often mentioned it at meetings. This place has become the Mecca of Ministers. Anyone who goes to Nedrouma must visit ‘Etterbiaâ.’
  
  Bouteflika is dressed by the ‘Presidents tailor’ in the Kasbah. The same tailor of the deceased Houari Boumediene, Ben Bella and others. Bouteflika likes dark colours with colourful neckties. As for shoes, ‘Abdelkader El Mali’ prefers the ‘rangers’ he wore during the liberation war and which reminded him that period of time and his companions the maquisards.
  
  Bouteflika has an ‘Omega’ watch and a mobile phone with a Mobilis card. His relatives say he has received many free phone cards from all mobile operators but he preferred ‘Mobilis’ because it is a product of Algeria.
  
  Either at the presidency or at home, Bouteflika is served by his closest family members. From the nurse to the cook, passing by his brother Mustapha Bouteflika, specialist doctor and his particular doctor who keeps following his medical records.
  
  Bouteflika enjoys the traditional dishes, mostly dishes from Tlemcen. Whenever he visited Oujda, one of the closest families prepared ‘El Maâkouda’, a dish made of a mixture of potato and spices.
  
  To be continued ...
  
  Ennahar / Dalila Belkheir / Khadidja B.