Ahmed Francis
Encyclopedia
Ahmed Francis was an Algeria
n 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
. Like Abbas, he was arrested by colonial forces after the 1945 Sétif massacre
s, but later released. He then joined Abbas's UDMA
movement, which demanded Algerian civil rights
and full equality with non-Muslim French, but stopped short of independence from France.
Discouraged by increasing French political repression, he was eventually convinced to follow Abbas into exile in Cairo
, to join the radical-nationalist Front de libération nationale
(FLN), in 1956, two years after the FLN had begun an armed revolt for independence
. He became a member of the Algerian government-in-exile, the GPRA
, in the capacity of minister for economy and finances, arguably as something of a figurehead for more radical forces. As political infighting increased with independence approaching, he lost his place in the third (1961) ministerial lineup.
After independence, he briefly joined the military-backed government of president
Ahmed Ben Bella
, but resigned along with Abbas in protest of the single-party system set up and of the marginalization of Algeria's constitutional assembly. He did not re-enter politics, and died abroad in 1968.
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 politician and nationalist.
After studying medicine in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
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...
, Francis returned to Algeria where he became involved with the movement for Algerian rights headed by his relative, 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 :...
. Like Abbas, he was arrested by colonial forces after the 1945 Sétif massacre
Setif massacre
The Sétif massacre refers to widespread disturbances and killings in and around the Algerian market town of Sétif located to the west of Constantine in 1945. Shooting by the French authorities against local demonstrators occurred on 8 May 1945. Then, riots in the town itself were followed by...
s, but later released. He then joined Abbas's UDMA
Democratic Union of the Algerian Manifesto
Democratic Union of the Algerian Manifesto was a political party in colonial Algeria founded in 1946 by Ferhat Abbas, who was than elected deputy. The UDMA reflected the change in Abbas' point of view...
movement, which demanded Algerian civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
and full equality with non-Muslim French, but stopped short of independence from France.
Discouraged by increasing French political repression, he was eventually convinced to follow Abbas into exile in Cairo
Cairo
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...
, to join the radical-nationalist 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), in 1956, two years after the FLN had begun an armed revolt for 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...
. He became a member of the Algerian government-in-exile, the GPRA
GPRA
GPRA may refer to:*Government Performance and Results Act*Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic...
, in the capacity of minister for economy and finances, arguably as something of a figurehead for more radical forces. As political infighting increased with independence approaching, he lost his place in the third (1961) ministerial lineup.
After independence, he briefly joined the military-backed government of 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:...
Ahmed Ben Bella
Ahmed Ben Bella
Mohamed Ahmed Ben Bella was a soldier and Algerian revolutionary, who became the first President of Algeria.-Youth:...
, but resigned along with Abbas in protest of the single-party system set up and of the marginalization of Algeria's constitutional assembly. He did not re-enter politics, and died abroad in 1968.