Mostefa Belloucif

Mostefa Belloucif was born on April 2, 1939, in Marsa Ben M'Hidi, Algeria. His early years coincided with the final stages of Algeria's fight for independence from French colonial rule.^[1] He was the first Algerian military officer of to hold the rank of major general.^[3][4]

Belloucif joined the Armée de Libération Nationale (ALN), the military wing of the National Liberation Front (FLN), at the age of 18, during the Algerian War of Independence.^[5] Following Algeria's independence in 1962, Belloucif continued his military career with the newly established Algerian People's National Army (ANP).^[6]

In 1986, Beloucif, was forcibly retired from the service after opposing the government to an arms agreement with France.^[7]

In 1992, Belloucif was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison by the military tribunal of Blida on corruption charges that were later found to be unfounded.^[8] He was eventually acquitted and rehabilitated, with the court recognizing the false nature of the charges against him.^[9]

Belloucif's is also known for his contributions to the structure and strategy of the Algerian military, although his later years were marred by legal battles.^[9]

Belloucif died on January 14, 2010, in Algiers at the age of 70.^[10] He is buried in El Alia Cemetery, Algeria.^[11]