Tebboune Abdelmadjid

Abdelmadjid Tebboune
Tebboune in 2024
Abdelmadjid Tebboune
Born	17 11, 1945
Birthplace	Mécheria, Aïn-Sefra, French Algeria
Nationality	Algerian
Occupation	Politician
Known for	8th President of Algeria
Education	National School of Administration
Awards	Grand Cordon of the National Order of Merit (Tunisia)

Abdelmadjid Tebboune (Template:Lang-ar; born 17 November 1945) is an Algerian politician who has served as the eighth President of Algeria and Minister of Defence since 19 December 2019. A career public administrator and government minister whose political life spans more than four decades, Tebboune rose through the ranks of Algeria's provincial governance system before occupying a succession of ministerial portfolios under multiple governments. He served briefly as Prime Minister of Algeria from May to August 2017 under President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and held the housing portfolio for extended periods between 2001 and 2017. Tebboune ascended to the presidency in a December 2019 election held amid the mass protest movement known as the Hirak, which had forced the resignation of Bouteflika earlier that year. He succeeded acting head of state Abdelkader Bensalah. His presidency has been marked by constitutional reform efforts, management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria, and an active foreign policy oriented toward both African and international partnerships. In September 2024, Tebboune was re-elected to a second presidential term with 94.65% of the vote, though the election was characterised by low voter turnout.

Early Life

Abdelmadjid Tebboune was born on 17 November 1945 in Mécheria, a city in the Aïn-Sefra département of what was then French Algeria. His birth came during the final years of French colonial rule, a period of mounting tensions that would culminate in the Algerian War of Independence (1954–1962). Mécheria, located in the high steppe region of western Algeria near the Moroccan border, was at the time a modest administrative centre. Little has been publicly documented about Tebboune's immediate family background or his childhood years during the turbulent period of Algeria's struggle for independence.

Tebboune came of age during the early years of independent Algeria, a period defined by the consolidation of the single-party state under the National Liberation Front (FLN) and the ambitious state-building programmes of the 1960s. The political and administrative culture in which he was raised placed a strong emphasis on centralized governance and public service, themes that would shape his subsequent career trajectory.

Education

Tebboune attended the National School of Administration (École nationale d'administration, or ENA), Algeria's principal institution for training senior civil servants and government administrators. The ENA, modelled on its French counterpart, has produced many of Algeria's senior officials and has historically served as a gateway into the country's administrative elite. Tebboune's education at the institution prepared him for a career in provincial administration and government service, providing him with the bureaucratic expertise that would underpin his progression through Algeria's governance structures.

Career

Provincial Administration

Tebboune began his career in public administration, eventually reaching the rank of wali (governor), the highest appointed position in Algeria's provincial governance system. He served as Wali of Adrar from 30 January 1983 to 13 May 1984, succeeding Abdelkrim Bouderghouma in that role. His successor as Wali of Adrar was Abdelmalek Sellal, who would himself later serve as Prime Minister of Algeria. Following his tenure in Adrar, Tebboune was appointed Wali of Tiaret, a more populous and agriculturally significant province in northwestern Algeria, serving from 13 May 1984 to 10 July 1989. His years as wali gave him direct experience in managing local governance, infrastructure development, and the implementation of national policy at the regional level.

Early Ministerial Career (1989–1992)

Tebboune transitioned from provincial governance to national-level politics at the end of the 1980s. He was appointed to a ministerial role overseeing local communities from 26 July 1989, a period of significant political reform in Algeria as the country moved toward a multiparty system following the October 1988 protests. He continued in this capacity until 18 June 1991. He was then reappointed as Minister Delegate for Local Communities under Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ghozali, serving from 18 June 1991 to 22 February 1992, a period that coincided with the political crisis triggered by the cancellation of the 1991 legislative elections and the onset of the Algerian Civil War. These early ministerial appointments established Tebboune within Algeria's national political establishment during one of the most turbulent periods in the country's post-independence history.

Return to Government Under Bouteflika (1999–2002)

After a period away from cabinet-level politics during much of the civil war decade, Tebboune returned to government following the election of Abdelaziz Bouteflika as president in 1999. He was appointed Minister of Communication and Culture on 23 December 1999, serving under Prime Minister Ahmed Benbitour until 26 June 2000. He was succeeded in this post by Mahieddine Amimour.

From 26 June 2000 to 31 May 2001, Tebboune served as Minister Delegate for Local Communities under Prime Minister Ali Benflis. He was then appointed Minister of Housing and Urban Development on 31 May 2001, again under Benflis, holding the portfolio until 4 June 2002. This first stint as housing minister, though brief, introduced him to the policy domain that would become most closely associated with his name.

Minister of Housing (2012–2017)

Tebboune's most significant pre-presidential ministerial tenure began on 3 September 2012, when he was appointed Minister of Housing, Urban Development and the City under Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal in the government of President Bouteflika. He succeeded Noureddine Moussa in the post. This appointment coincided with a period of ambitious public housing programmes in Algeria, as the government sought to address a chronic housing deficit through large-scale construction projects funded by hydrocarbon revenues.

Tebboune held the housing portfolio for nearly five years, from September 2012 to May 2017, making it the longest continuous ministerial appointment of his career. During this period, Algeria pursued the construction of hundreds of thousands of housing units across the country as part of successive five-year development plans. Additionally, from 19 January 2017, Tebboune served concurrently as Interim Minister of Commerce, succeeding Bakhti Belaïb, until August 2017.

Prime Minister (May–August 2017)

On 25 May 2017, President Bouteflika appointed Tebboune as Prime Minister of Algeria, replacing Abdelmalek Sellal. The appointment came in the context of legislative elections and was seen as part of a broader reshuffling of the government. As the 16th Prime Minister of Algeria, Tebboune was tasked with forming a new government and managing the implementation of Bouteflika's policy agenda.

However, Tebboune's tenure as Prime Minister was remarkably brief. He was dismissed on 15 August 2017, after serving less than three months in office. He was replaced by Ahmed Ouyahia. The circumstances surrounding his brief tenure and removal were widely discussed in Algerian media, with reports suggesting that tensions with influential political and business figures had contributed to his ouster. His short-lived premiership nonetheless raised his national profile considerably and positioned him as a figure associated with anti-corruption rhetoric.

Presidential Election of 2019

In 2019, Algeria experienced a dramatic political upheaval. The Hirak protest movement, which began in February 2019, mobilised millions of Algerians in sustained mass demonstrations demanding the end of the political system associated with President Bouteflika. On 2 April 2019, Bouteflika resigned after two decades in power. Abdelkader Bensalah assumed the role of acting head of state.

A presidential election was scheduled for 12 December 2019. Tebboune entered the race as a candidate, positioning himself as independent from the established political parties despite his long association with the FLN and the Bouteflika-era government. The election was contested by five candidates but was boycotted by much of the Hirak movement, which called for more fundamental reforms before any vote took place.

Tebboune won the election and was declared the eighth President of Algeria. He took office on 19 December 2019, also assuming the constitutionally mandated role of Minister of Defence. The FLN and the National Democratic Rally (RND), the two parties that had dominated Algerian politics for decades, both saw diminished influence during the election, a development noted by Algerian media at the time.

Presidency (2019–present)

Hirak Movement and Domestic Policy

Upon taking office, Tebboune sought to engage with the ongoing Hirak protest movement while consolidating governmental authority. He publicly characterised the Hirak as "a salutary phenomenon" (phénomène salutaire) while warning against attempts to infiltrate or manipulate the movement. His approach to the movement combined rhetorical acknowledgement of its grievances with continued security measures, a posture that drew criticism from opposition figures and human rights organisations. Amnesty International called on Algerian authorities to defend the right to protest in Algeria during this period.

Press freedom conditions in Algeria came under scrutiny during the early years of Tebboune's presidency. Le Point reported in May 2020 that press freedom had deteriorated in the country. The case of Karim Tabbou, a prominent Hirak figure, drew international attention; in July 2020, a court ordered his release from detention.

Among his early appointments, Tebboune named Mohand Oussaïd Belaïd as spokesperson of the presidency and received former Prime Minister Ahmed Benbitour.

Constitutional Reform

A central plank of Tebboune's early presidency was the proposal to revise Algeria's constitution. In January 2020, he established a commission to oversee the revision of the constitution. He subsequently appointed a committee of experts to draft the revisions and outlined seven principal axes for the constitutional reform process. The proposed reforms were framed as a response to the demands of the Hirak movement, aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and governance. A constitutional referendum was subsequently held on 1 November 2020, and the revised constitution was approved, though the vote was marked by low turnout.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The global COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant challenge to Tebboune's early presidency. In March 2020, as the virus reached Algeria, Tebboune stated publicly that the state had taken measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus and announced that additional resources would be mobilised.

In October 2020, Tebboune himself tested positive for COVID-19. He was transferred abroad for medical treatment, leading to an extended absence from public duties that prompted widespread speculation about his health. Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent messages to the Algerian president following the announcement of his positive test. Tebboune eventually returned to Algeria after several weeks of treatment and recovery.

Foreign Policy

Tebboune's presidency has been characterised by an active foreign policy, particularly in relations with Russia, African states, and the broader Arab world.

Relations with Russia featured prominently in Tebboune's diplomatic agenda. In January 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Tebboune, during which both leaders "noted with satisfaction" the state of Russia-Algeria cooperation, described as rooted in "long-standing traditions of friendship and mutual" relations. In June 2023, Tebboune travelled to Moscow for official talks with Putin at the Kremlin. Following the talks, both presidents made joint statements for the press. Tebboune also participated in the plenary session of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2023.

On the African front, Algeria under Tebboune has sought to maintain its traditional role as a diplomatic actor on the continent. During a visit to Algeria in August 2022, Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde described coming to Algeria as "a pilgrimage for all that it means in Africa and beyond," citing the country's historical importance on the continent.

In October 2023, regarding Algeria's potential membership in the BRICS grouping of emerging economies, Tebboune stated that "the dossier is closed," effectively ending speculation about Algeria's imminent accession to the bloc.

Tebboune has also maintained diplomatic engagement with Middle Eastern and North African partners. King Abdullah II of Jordan held talks with Tebboune in Algeria. In the context of Algeria's support for Palestinian statehood, Tebboune awarded the Medal of Friends of the Algerian Revolution to the President of the State of Palestine.

Re-election in 2024

On 7 September 2024, Algeria held a presidential election in which Tebboune stood for a second term. He was declared the winner with 94.65% of the vote. However, the election was noted for its low participation rate, raising questions about the level of popular engagement in the electoral process.

Recognition

Tebboune has received honours and decorations from several states. He was awarded the Grand Cordon of the National Order of Merit by Tunisia. He has also received honours from Italy, as recorded in the official database of the Italian Presidency.

In his capacity as president, Tebboune has also bestowed honours on foreign leaders. He awarded the Medal of Friends of the Algerian Revolution to the President of the State of Palestine during an official visit, an honour intended to recognise contributions to Algeria's revolutionary history and its ongoing diplomatic relationships.

Legacy

Abdelmadjid Tebboune's political career spans the breadth of independent Algeria's governance history, from the single-party era through the civil war period, the long Bouteflika years, and the post-Hirak transition. His ascent to the presidency in December 2019, amid a historic popular uprising that demanded systemic change, placed him at the intersection of continuity and reform within the Algerian political system.

His presidency has been defined by the tension between the demands of the Hirak movement for fundamental democratic reform and the constraints of Algeria's deeply entrenched political and security establishment. The constitutional revision process he initiated represented an attempt to address governance concerns, though critics and opposition figures have questioned the depth and sincerity of the reforms. Press freedom and the treatment of political detainees have remained points of contention between the government and both domestic and international observers.

On the international stage, Tebboune has sought to reassert Algeria's role as a significant diplomatic actor, particularly in African affairs and in the context of evolving global alignments. His engagement with Russia, participation in international economic forums, and diplomatic outreach to states across the Middle East and Africa reflect Algeria's strategic positioning as a major energy-producing nation with historical ties to both the Global South and former colonial powers.

His re-election in 2024 with an overwhelming majority but low voter participation encapsulated the ongoing debates about political legitimacy and democratic participation in Algeria. The trajectory of his second term will likely be shaped by economic challenges related to Algeria's dependence on hydrocarbon revenues, ongoing social demands, and the country's navigation of an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.