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He was born in Tiaret, in a family who had settled there, after being driven from his lands of Sebgag (Aflou) near Oued Touil (Chlef). Excluded very early from the school system, which was then given to the “natives”, he embarked on a self-study training which enabled him to obtain the certificate of primary education.

At the same time, he is a member of the Algerian Muslim Scout Movement (SMA), which has been the nursery for future ALN cadres who will choose the path of armed struggle to liberate the country from the colonial rule.

He goes to the entrance examination of the “Ecole Militaire de Cherchell” where he is brilliantly admitted. Having graduated from his class, he chose Moroccan Tabors.

Sent to Vietnam, he will take advantage of this stay, like most Maghreb soldiers, to acquire and perfect their knowledge and their experiences in the popular revolutionary war, which they will later serve in the service of their respective liberation armies.

Having become section chief, he will be noticed by General Vannuxen, who takes him to his staff. In 1955 his sympathies with the Vietnamese people in struggle and his political positions in his favor, will attract the attention of the colonial military security services who will eventually stop him and transfer him chained and under escort to Kenitra (Morocco) where he was to appear before a military court.

Taking advantage of the support of the Moroccan resistance, he managed to desert with weapons and luggage, along with elements of the Algerian Tirailleurs regiment stationed in the same barracks. Affected by the Rif, he will take part in various operations including that of Tizi Ouzli which was the most deadly for the colonial troops.

Returned to the Algerian ALN, and assigned to zone 5 of wilaya 5, he introduced the methods tested in the Far East, which resulted in a considerable military technical leap.

This strategic and technical work does not prevent him from making individual efforts. During one of them, he managed on his own to capture six enemy soldiers. Following these successes he will be transferred to Zone 2 Wilaya 5 where he will apply the same methods with the same successes in decisive battles.

In 1957, the staff of the Wilaya 5 decided to create the School of Cadres of the ALN and entrusted to him the direction. The first promotion will be named after the first person in charge of Wilaya 5, Larbi Ben M’hidi. Its human qualities constitute a large part of the builders of the structures, first of the ministry of armaments and general links MALG then of the independent Algerian State.

In 1958, he was sent to the USSR to undertake university studies. He chooses the rural engineering, hydraulic option.

In 1966, when he returned to the country, he created the direction of rural engineering at the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform where he helped to introduce a new spirit and to make people aware of the importance of this sector in general development. This will lead to the creation of a Secretariat of State for the Hydraulics, whose responsibility is conferred to him  from 1971 to 1977.