I’m optimistic because I’m pragmatic: Neither of the two sides, the military government nor the Islamic front, is capable of winning. If they continue to fight, they will both bleed to death.
AHMED BEN BELLAWe were but some tens of people throughout Algeria, a territory that is five times the size of France
More Ahmed Ben Bella Quotes
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Yes, I am Algerian of Moroccan origin through my parents, but all my life is Algeria. I was born there.
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My life has been a bit special, this is true. I participated in the liberation of my country.
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Colonialism is known in its primitive form, that is to say, by the permanent settling of repressive foreign powers, with an army, services, policies.
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Colonialism is an idea born in the West that drives Western countries – like France, Italy, Belgium, Great Britain – to occupy countries outside of Europe.
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We trained them, we arranged for the weapons to reach them, we created networks.
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The French colonisation of Algeria lasted a long time: 132 years.
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When I was engaged in the struggle for my country, I was very young. My horizons were open.
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With my government, we engaged in bringing our help to fights for national freedom.
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In two years, there were 22 military coups d’etat, essentially in Africa and the third world. The coup d’etat of Algiers, in 1965, is what opened the path.
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I spent 24 and a half years in prison
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At that precise moment, several countries were still colonised or had barely overcome colonisation. This was the case in practically all of Africa. We supported them.
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Algeria was therefore only the beginning of something that was in development: this is why I say that it’s the global capitalist system that finally reacted against us.
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I think that they participated in something that was not very proper and was very pitiful, not only for the Algerian people, but also for the other people who counted on our support.
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Let us all agree to die a little, or even completely so that African unity may not be a vain word
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I’m 90 years old now, and my motivation hasn’t changed; it’s the same fervour that drives me.
AHMED BEN BELLA