Ahmed Ben Bella Quotes

Ahmed Ben Bella was an Algerian soldier and revolutionary who was the first President of Algeria from 1963 to 1965. Ben Bella was born in Maghnia, in western Algeria, during the height of the French colonial period. He attended school in Tlemcen and was disturbed by the discrimination towards Muslims by his European teacher. He failed his brevet exam, and subsequently dropped out of school. Ben Bella volunteered for service in the French Army in 1936. The Army was one of the few avenues of advancement for Algerian Muslims under colonial rule and voluntary enlistment was common. Posted to Marseille he played center mid-field for Olympique de Marseille in 1939–1940.In February 2012, Ben Bella was admitted to a hospital for medical checks. At the same time, a report circulated that he had died, but this was denied by his family. He died on 11 April at his family home in Algiers. Though the reasons of his death were unknown he had been treated for respiratory illnesses twice at Ain Naadja. His body lay in state on 12 April before the funeral on 13 April. Algeria declared eight days of national mourning.