AUC Chairperson Youssouf mourns ex-Algeria President Liamine Zeroual

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has mourned the passing of former Algeria President Liamine Zeroual.

Youssouf expressed his profound sorrow upon learning of the passing of Zeroual on Saturday evening.

“The AUC Chairperson extends heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Algeria, as well as to the family of the late President, and expresses the AU Commission's full solidarity with the nation during this moment of mourning,” a statement from Addis Ababa stated.

The AUC Chairperson paid solemn tribute to a steadfast statesman whose life was defined by sacrifice, dignity, and an unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and unity of Algeria.

Youssouf added that President Zeroual’s leadership during a critical period in Algeria’s history reflected courage, restraint, and a deep sense of responsibility to his people and nation.

He further acknowledged Algeria’s enduring role as a pillar of Pan-Africanism and a champion of continental solidarity, liberation, and self-determination.

“In honouring his memory, the AUC Chairperson Union recalls the late Zeroual's dedication to peace, stability, and national reconciliation—values that resonate deeply with the Union’s vision of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.”

Algeria has declared three days of national mourning following the death the former president at the age of 84, marking the passing of a leader widely seen as a stabilising figure during one of the country’s most turbulent periods.

Born in Batna in 1941, he rose through the ranks of the National Liberation Army, which fought French colonial rule.

He held several positions within the People’s National Army. He was appointed commander of the military school in Batna, then of the Cherchell Military Academy of Combined Arms, and later took command of the 6th, 3rd, and 5th military regions.

He was subsequently appointed commander of the land forces at the General Staff of the People’s National Army and also appointed Minister of National Defense on July 10, 1993, during the tenure of the High Council of State.

Zeroual took power in 1994 during Algeria’s brutal civil war, heading a transitional administration as the country grappled with violence and political instability.

He went on to organise Algeria’s first multi-party presidential election in 1995, winning a decisive mandate seen as a step toward restoring political order.

Zéroual led the process of consolidating constitutional legitimacy through the referendum on the November 28, 1996, constitution, which established the upper house of Parliament: the Council of the Nation.

He completed the institutional framework through the legislative elections of June 5, 1997, and the local elections of October 23, 1997.

In 1998, however, Zeroual surprised many by stepping down before completing his term, paving the way for Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who would go on to lead Algeria for two decades.

Despite his early exit, Zeroual remained a respected figure in public life, largely staying out of politics while retaining a reputation for integrity and restraint.