Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic
Encyclopedia
The Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (French
, Gouvernement Provisoire de la République Algérienne, GPRA) was the government-in-exile of the Algeria
n Front de Libération Nationale
(FLN) during the latter part of the Algerian War of Independence
(1954–62).
.svg.png)
, Egypt
, by the FLN on September 19, 1958, four years into the Algerian War of Independence
. Its first President
was the moderate nationalist Ferhat Abbas
, who had for decades insisted on trying to peacefully reform the French
colonial
system, before finally despairing and joining the FLN's armed struggle. He was once re-elected to the post, in 1960, but already next year he was sidelined and replaced by Benyoucef Benkhedda
, who held the presidency as Algeria was declared independent.
The purpose of the GPRA was to serve as a diplomatic and political tool for the FLN. It allowed sympathizing governments to extend official recognition to it (among those who did, were neighbouring Morocco
and Tunisia
, as well as Nasserite
Egypt
and other Arab countries and Pakistan). Its headquarters were located in Tunis
, but diplomat
s were posted in most major world capitals to try to lobby governments and organize local support groups. It was partly intended to serve as a preemptive diplomatic strike against a proposal by French President Charles de Gaulle
, to hold a referendum
by which Algeria would be given an autonomous
status within France.
of the GPRA briefly held power in Algiers, but there was no unified power for the whole country. In late 1962, the GPRA was disbanded, after Ahmed Ben Bella
seized power through forming a rival institution (a Political Bureau of the FLN) with the backing of the Armée de Libération Nationale
(ALN), controlled by Col. Houari Boumédiène
. An attempt by GPRA politicians and loyal guerrilla units to resist the military-backed takeover was crushed in a short but intense burst of internal fighting. A compromise forced by Boumédiène saw most of the provisional government enter an expanded Political Bureau, and the GPRA itself was dissolved. A one-party state under Ben Bella's command was then set up, after a constitution
had been approved for the new republic.
While some argue that this broke the institutional continuity between the war-time GPRA and the present Algerian state, the Algerian presidency and government is still normally regarded as the GPRA's post-independence
successor.
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, Gouvernement Provisoire de la République Algérienne, GPRA) was the government-in-exile of the Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n Front de Libération Nationale
Front de Libération Nationale
Front de Libération Nationale may refer to:* National Liberation Front , a socialist political party founded in 1954 for independence from France for Algeria...
(FLN) during the latter part of the Algerian War of Independence
Algerian War of Independence
The Algerian War was a conflict between France and Algerian independence movements from 1954 to 1962, which led to Algeria's gaining its independence from France...
(1954–62).
Creation and purpose
The GPRA was set up in CairoCairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, by the FLN on September 19, 1958, four years into the Algerian War of Independence
Algerian War of Independence
The Algerian War was a conflict between France and Algerian independence movements from 1954 to 1962, which led to Algeria's gaining its independence from France...
. Its first President
President of Algeria
The President of Algeria is the head of state and chief executive of Algeria, as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the Algerian armed forces.-History of the office:...
was the moderate nationalist Ferhat Abbas
Ferhat Abbas
Ferhat Abbas Kabyle: Ferḥat Σabbas, was an Algerian political leader and briefly acted in a provisional capacity as the yet-to-become independent country's President from 1958 to 1961.- Background :...
, who had for decades insisted on trying to peacefully reform the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
colonial
Colonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
system, before finally despairing and joining the FLN's armed struggle. He was once re-elected to the post, in 1960, but already next year he was sidelined and replaced by Benyoucef Benkhedda
Benyoucef Benkhedda
Benyoucef Benkhedda was an Algerian politician. He headed the third GPRA exile government of the National Liberation Front , acting as a leader during the Algerian War...
, who held the presidency as Algeria was declared independent.
The purpose of the GPRA was to serve as a diplomatic and political tool for the FLN. It allowed sympathizing governments to extend official recognition to it (among those who did, were neighbouring Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, as well as Nasserite
Nasserism
Nasserism is an Arab nationalist political ideology based on the thinking of the former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. It was a major influence on pan-Arab politics in the 1950s and 1960s, and continues to have significant resonance throughout the Arab World to this day. It also...
Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and other Arab countries and Pakistan). Its headquarters were located in Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
, but diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
s were posted in most major world capitals to try to lobby governments and organize local support groups. It was partly intended to serve as a preemptive diplomatic strike against a proposal by French President Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969....
, to hold a referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
by which Algeria would be given an autonomous
Autonomy
Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political and bioethical philosophy. Within these contexts, it is the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision...
status within France.
Post-independence dissolution
After the war, infighting broke out in FLN ranks. BenkheddaBenyoucef Benkhedda
Benyoucef Benkhedda was an Algerian politician. He headed the third GPRA exile government of the National Liberation Front , acting as a leader during the Algerian War...
of the GPRA briefly held power in Algiers, but there was no unified power for the whole country. In late 1962, the GPRA was disbanded, after Ahmed Ben Bella
Ahmed Ben Bella
Mohamed Ahmed Ben Bella was a soldier and Algerian revolutionary, who became the first President of Algeria.-Youth:...
seized power through forming a rival institution (a Political Bureau of the FLN) with the backing of the Armée de Libération Nationale
Armée de Libération Nationale
The Armée de Libération Nationale or ALN was the armed wing of the nationalist Front de Libération National during the Algerian War of Independence...
(ALN), controlled by Col. Houari Boumédiène
Houari Boumediene
Houari Boumedienne served as Algeria's Chairman of the Revolutionary Council from 19 June 1965 until 12 December 1976, and from then on as the fourth President of Algeria to his death on 27 December 1978.- Background :Mohamed Ben Brahim Boukharouba was born near Héliopolis in the province of...
. An attempt by GPRA politicians and loyal guerrilla units to resist the military-backed takeover was crushed in a short but intense burst of internal fighting. A compromise forced by Boumédiène saw most of the provisional government enter an expanded Political Bureau, and the GPRA itself was dissolved. A one-party state under Ben Bella's command was then set up, after a constitution
Constitution of Algeria
An Algerian Constitution was first adopted by a referendum in 1963, following the Algerian War of Independence ; originally, it was to be drafted by a constitutional assembly led by Ferhat Abbas, but this body was sidelined by Algeria's first President, Ahmed Ben Bella...
had been approved for the new republic.
While some argue that this broke the institutional continuity between the war-time GPRA and the present Algerian state, the Algerian presidency and government is still normally regarded as the GPRA's post-independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
successor.
List of members of the GPRA
The GPRA was reformed twice, in 1960 and 1961, with the change of ministers and portfolios to some extent reflecting the shifts of power within the FLN. Below is a list of the three versions of the GPRA.The first GPRA: 1958-60
- Mr Ferhat AbbasFerhat AbbasFerhat Abbas Kabyle: Ferḥat Σabbas, was an Algerian political leader and briefly acted in a provisional capacity as the yet-to-become independent country's President from 1958 to 1961.- Background :...
- President - Mr Krim BelkacemKrim BelkacemKrim Belkacem was an Algerian revolutionary fighter and politician....
- Vice President and Minister of the Armed Forces - Mr Ahmed Ben BellaAhmed Ben BellaMohamed Ahmed Ben Bella was a soldier and Algerian revolutionary, who became the first President of Algeria.-Youth:...
- Vice President - Mr Hocine Aït AhmedHocine Aït AhmedHocine Aït Ahmed is an Algerian politician....
- Vice President - Mr Rabah BitatRabah BitatRabah Bitat . He served as President of the People's National Assembly from April 1977 to October 1990 and was the fifth President of Algeria from 27 December 1978 to 9 February 1979. He became president after the death of Houari Boumédiènne and was replaced by Chadli Bendjedid...
- Vice President - Mr Mohamed Boudiaf - Minister of State
- Mr Mohamed KhiderMohamed KhiderMohamed Khider was an Algerian politician.-War years and imprisonment:Mohamed Khider was one of the original leaders of the Front de Libération nationale , having been previously active in its nationalist predecessors, the Étoile Nord-Africaine and Parti du Peuple Algerien of Messali Hadj...
- Minister of State - Mr Mohamed Lamine DebaghineMohamed Lamine DebaghineDr. Mohamed Lamine Debaghine was an Algerian politician and independence activist....
- Minister of Foreign Affairs - Mr Mahmoud CherifMahmoud CherifColonel Mahmoud Chérif was an Algerian military leader and politician. He was born in Chéria in the Tébessa governorship in 1912. After school, he joined the French army and graduated from training courses with the rank of lieutenant. He participated as a French-Algerian soldier on the side of...
- Minister of Armaments and Provisions - Mr Lakhdar Ben TobbalLakhdar Ben TobbalSlimane Ben Tobbal , better known as Lakhdar Ben Tobbal, is a former Algerian resistance fighter.Ben Tobbal was a member of the nationalist Parti du peuple Algérien , and later moved on to its paramilitary organization which became the embryo of the Front de libération nationale...
- Minister of the Interior - Mr Abdelhafid BoussoufAbdelhafid BoussoufAbdelhafid Boussouf was an Algerian nationalist and a leader of the Front de libération nationale during the Algerian war of independence . He was a member of the GPRA exile government, serving as minister of armaments...
- Minister of General Relations and Communications - Mr Abdelhamid MehriAbdelhamid MehriAbdelhamid Mehri , is an Algerian resistance fighter, soldier and politician.Born in a destitute family in Constantine, Abdelhamid Mehri joined the Parti du peuple Algérien at an early age. He studied in Tunisia, and developed contacts with the nationalist Neo Destour party...
- Minister of MaghrebMaghrebThe Maghreb is the region of Northwest Africa, west of Egypt. It includes five countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania and the disputed territory of Western Sahara...
Affairs - Mr Ahmed FrancisAhmed FrancisAhmed Francis was an Algerian politician and nationalist.After studying medicine in Paris, France, Francis returned to Algeria where he became involved with the movement for Algerian rights headed by his relative, the moderate nationalist Ferhat Abbas...
- Minister of Economic and Financial Affairs - Mr Mhamed YazidMhamed YazidMhamed Yazid was an Algerian independence activist and politician. He joined the nationalist Parti du Peuple Algérien in 1942, and later, after moving to Paris, France for university studies, its successor organization, the MTLD, where he became a member of the central committee...
- Minister of Information - Mr Benyoucef BenkheddaBenyoucef BenkheddaBenyoucef Benkhedda was an Algerian politician. He headed the third GPRA exile government of the National Liberation Front , acting as a leader during the Algerian War...
- Minister of Social Affairs - Mr Ahmed Tewfik El MadaniAhmed Tewfik El MadaniAhmed Tewfik El Madani was an Algerian nationalist leader during the Algerian War of Independence , and a minister of the GPRA, a provisional exile government of the Front de libération nationale...
- Minister of Cultural Affairs - Mr Lamine KheneLamine KheneDr. Lamine Khene is an Algerian nationalist politician and former officer. At age 16, he joined the Parti du peuple algérien and its successor organization MTLD...
- Secretary of State - Mr Omar OussedikOmar OussedikOmar Oussedik was an Algerian nationalist politician and independence leader, born in a Berber family from the Kabylie region....
- Secretary of State - Mr Mustapha StambouliMustapha StambouliMustapha Stambouli was an Algerian nationalist leader.A law student, he was active for the nationalist cause from the late 1930s in the Parti du peuple algérien , and was jailed several times by the colonial authorities of France...
The second GPRA: 1960-61
- Mr Ferhat AbbasFerhat AbbasFerhat Abbas Kabyle: Ferḥat Σabbas, was an Algerian political leader and briefly acted in a provisional capacity as the yet-to-become independent country's President from 1958 to 1961.- Background :...
- President - Mr Krim BelkacemKrim BelkacemKrim Belkacem was an Algerian revolutionary fighter and politician....
- Vice President, and Minister of Foreign Affairs - Mr Ahmed Ben BellaAhmed Ben BellaMohamed Ahmed Ben Bella was a soldier and Algerian revolutionary, who became the first President of Algeria.-Youth:...
- Vice President - Mr Hocine Aït AhmedHocine Aït AhmedHocine Aït Ahmed is an Algerian politician....
- Vice President - Mr Rabah BitatRabah BitatRabah Bitat . He served as President of the People's National Assembly from April 1977 to October 1990 and was the fifth President of Algeria from 27 December 1978 to 9 February 1979. He became president after the death of Houari Boumédiènne and was replaced by Chadli Bendjedid...
- Vice President - Mr Mohamed Boudiaf - Minister of State
- Mr Mohamed KhiderMohamed KhiderMohamed Khider was an Algerian politician.-War years and imprisonment:Mohamed Khider was one of the original leaders of the Front de Libération nationale , having been previously active in its nationalist predecessors, the Étoile Nord-Africaine and Parti du Peuple Algerien of Messali Hadj...
- Minister of State - Mr Saïd MohammediSaïd MohammediCol. Saïd Mohammedi , or Si Nacer, was an Algerian nationalist and politician.Born in the Berber Kabyle region of Tizi Ouzou, Saïd Mohammadi served in the French army. Attracted to Arab nationalism, and intensely religious, he became involved with the Mufti of Jerusalem, Hajj Amin al-Husseini...
- Minister of State - Mr Abdelhamid MehriAbdelhamid MehriAbdelhamid Mehri , is an Algerian resistance fighter, soldier and politician.Born in a destitute family in Constantine, Abdelhamid Mehri joined the Parti du peuple Algérien at an early age. He studied in Tunisia, and developed contacts with the nationalist Neo Destour party...
- Minister of Social and Cultural Affairs - Mr Abdelhafid BoussoufAbdelhafid BoussoufAbdelhafid Boussouf was an Algerian nationalist and a leader of the Front de libération nationale during the Algerian war of independence . He was a member of the GPRA exile government, serving as minister of armaments...
- Minister of Armaments and of General Relations - Mr Ahmed FrancisAhmed FrancisAhmed Francis was an Algerian politician and nationalist.After studying medicine in Paris, France, Francis returned to Algeria where he became involved with the movement for Algerian rights headed by his relative, the moderate nationalist Ferhat Abbas...
- Minister of Economic and Financial Affairs - Mr Mhamed YazidMhamed YazidMhamed Yazid was an Algerian independence activist and politician. He joined the nationalist Parti du Peuple Algérien in 1942, and later, after moving to Paris, France for university studies, its successor organization, the MTLD, where he became a member of the central committee...
- Minister of Information - Mr Lakhdar Ben TobbalLakhdar Ben TobbalSlimane Ben Tobbal , better known as Lakhdar Ben Tobbal, is a former Algerian resistance fighter.Ben Tobbal was a member of the nationalist Parti du peuple Algérien , and later moved on to its paramilitary organization which became the embryo of the Front de libération nationale...
- Minister of the Interior
The third GPRA: 1961-62
- Mr Benyoucef BenkheddaBenyoucef BenkheddaBenyoucef Benkhedda was an Algerian politician. He headed the third GPRA exile government of the National Liberation Front , acting as a leader during the Algerian War...
- President, and Minister of Economic and Financial Affairs - Mr Krim BelkacemKrim BelkacemKrim Belkacem was an Algerian revolutionary fighter and politician....
- Vice President, Minister of the Interior of Foreign Affairs - Mr Ahmed Ben BellaAhmed Ben BellaMohamed Ahmed Ben Bella was a soldier and Algerian revolutionary, who became the first President of Algeria.-Youth:...
- Vice President - Mr Mohamed Boudiaf - Vice President
- Mr Hocine Aït AhmedHocine Aït AhmedHocine Aït Ahmed is an Algerian politician....
- Minister of State - Mr Rabah BitatRabah BitatRabah Bitat . He served as President of the People's National Assembly from April 1977 to October 1990 and was the fifth President of Algeria from 27 December 1978 to 9 February 1979. He became president after the death of Houari Boumédiènne and was replaced by Chadli Bendjedid...
- Minister of State - Mr Mohamed KhiderMohamed KhiderMohamed Khider was an Algerian politician.-War years and imprisonment:Mohamed Khider was one of the original leaders of the Front de Libération nationale , having been previously active in its nationalist predecessors, the Étoile Nord-Africaine and Parti du Peuple Algerien of Messali Hadj...
- Minister of State - Mr Lakhdar Ben TobbalLakhdar Ben TobbalSlimane Ben Tobbal , better known as Lakhdar Ben Tobbal, is a former Algerian resistance fighter.Ben Tobbal was a member of the nationalist Parti du peuple Algérien , and later moved on to its paramilitary organization which became the embryo of the Front de libération nationale...
- Minister of State - Mr Saïd MohammediSaïd MohammediCol. Saïd Mohammedi , or Si Nacer, was an Algerian nationalist and politician.Born in the Berber Kabyle region of Tizi Ouzou, Saïd Mohammadi served in the French army. Attracted to Arab nationalism, and intensely religious, he became involved with the Mufti of Jerusalem, Hajj Amin al-Husseini...
- Minister of State - Mr Saad DahlabSaad DahlabSaad Dahlab was an Algerian nationalist and politician. A long-time national activist, he played a part in virtually all the early Algerian nationalist movements: L'Étoile Nord-Africaine , the Parti du Peuple Algérien and the Mouvement pour la Triomphe des Libértes Démocratiques , all of them...
- Minister of Foreign Affairs - Mr Abdelhafid BoussoufAbdelhafid BoussoufAbdelhafid Boussouf was an Algerian nationalist and a leader of the Front de libération nationale during the Algerian war of independence . He was a member of the GPRA exile government, serving as minister of armaments...
- Minister of Armamaments and of General Relations - Mr Mhamed YazidMhamed YazidMhamed Yazid was an Algerian independence activist and politician. He joined the nationalist Parti du Peuple Algérien in 1942, and later, after moving to Paris, France for university studies, its successor organization, the MTLD, where he became a member of the central committee...
- Minister of Information
Literature
- Achour Cheurfi, La classe politique algérienne, de 1900 à nos jours. Dictionnaire biographique (Casbah Editions, 2nd edition, AlgiersAlgiers' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
2006) - Jacques Duchemin, Histoire du F. L. N. (Editions Mimouni, AlgiersAlgiers' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
2006) - Benjamin StoraBenjamin StoraBenjamin Stora is a French historian, expert on North Africa, who is widely considered one of the world's leading authorities on Algerian history. He was born in a Jewish family in Constantine, then in French Algeria, which left the country following its War of Independence in 1962. Stora holds...
, Algeria. 1830-2000. A Short History (Cornell University PressCornell University PressThe Cornell University Press, established in 1869 but inactive from 1884 to 1930, was the first university publishing enterprise in the United States.A division of Cornell University, it is housed in Sage House, the former residence of Henry William Sage....
, USA 2004) - Alistair HorneAlistair HorneSir Alistair Allan Horne is a British historian of modern France. He is the son of Sir James Horne and Lady Auriol Horne ....
, A Savage War of Peace. Algeria 1954-1962 (Viking 1978)