The “misunderstood” president passes away leaving huge legacy behind

The Algerian people will remember the late president Chadli Benjedid as the man who held office and gave it to the plain citizens away from any paternalism as opposed to his predecessor who cultivated the cult of personality.

Chadli Benjedid didn’t follow in the footsteps of Houari Boumedienne and avoided falling in the trap of his legacy. He did his very best to refurbish his image and reach out to the people by taking a political stands that increased his popularity in the Arab world, even if he didn’t plan it .

The Algerian people and the entire Arab world still keep in mind the late president Yasser Arafat standing high announcing the creation of the Palestinian state before a stand of prominent politicians and men of letter including the poet Mahmoud Derrouiche, at a time when many Arab conducting secret negotiations to normalize their diplomatic ties with Israel

Chadli’s ear witnessed a second Islamic renaissance in Algeria with the presence of the most prestigious scholars that gave lectures in different corners of the country wit total freedom. But many considered that the troubles that swept through the country were part of the scheme that led to his ousting because this renaissance would pose a threat for France and its followers inside.

Unlike for the other presidents, Chadli Benjedid was close to his people to an extend that the latest details of private life were made public like his love to tennis and swimming as well as his bias to a kind of an aristocratic style of politics.

He was the leader that witnessed the first “Arab spring” in October 1988 that engulfed the country in a whirlpool of troubles. But he stood tall and faced his political opponents when he conducted a series of reforms that led to the political pluralism in Algeria.