Retired General Hocine Benhadid, a major figure in the National Liberation Army (ALN) and fervent opponent of the regime of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, died on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at the age of 79. His death was caused by several hip fractures and serious chronic illnesses. Benhadid’s life was marked by periods of detention, revelations about political-financial scandals, and an unwavering commitment to his convictions.
A Journey Marked by Opposition to the Bouteflika Regime
General Hocine Benhadid was one of the fiercest opponents of the regime of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. He was imprisoned twice because of his revelations about political and financial scandals that shook Algeria. In 2015, he was incarcerated for the first time, then in May 2019, he was placed under arrest for what was described as “damaging the morale of the army”. His statements accusing General Gaïd Salah of being “in the pay of foreigners” provoked strong reactions.
In January 2020, Hocine Benhadid was finally released after several months of detention, but his commitment to Algerian political life has not weakened. His critical positions towards the regime and his calls for reform continued to resonate within Algerian society.
A Presidential Tribute in 2022
In August 2022, retired general Hocine Benhadid, alongside two other retired generals, Mohamed Lamine Mediène, nicknamed “Toufik”, and Khaled Nezzar, all three also imprisoned during the reign of the late Gaïd Salah, were honored by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
This presidential tribute was seen as a gesture of recognition towards these former soldiers who marked the history of Algeria through their commitment and their courageous positions. It was also a symbolic step in the process of national reconciliation and recognition of the different voices that contributed to the political evolution of the country.
The death of General Hocine Benhadid marks the end of an era and recalls the importance of his role as an opponent of Bouteflika’s regime. His life was punctuated by moments of struggle, perseverance, and determination in favor of his convictions. The tribute paid by President Tebboune in 2022 testifies to the complexity of the Algerian political scene and the desire to recognize the contributions of key figures, even those who have been in opposition to the authorities. Benhadid’s disappearance leaves behind an indelible legacy in the political history of Algeria.
