The French colonisation of Algeria lasted a long time: 132 years.
Ahmed Ben Bella

The liberation movement which I led in Algeria, the organization that I created to fight the French army, was at first a small movement of nothing at all. We were but some tens of people throughout Algeria, a territory that is five times the size of France.
Ahmed Ben Bella

These are the multinationals, like General Motors and Nestle; these are the big industrial groups that weigh, on the monetary scale, much more than big countries like Egypt.
Ahmed Ben Bella

Those who are leftists, once in power, are not different from other parties.
Ahmed Ben Bella

When I was engaged in the struggle for my country, I was very young. My horizons were open.
Ahmed Ben Bella

When someone came to ask us for help, it was sacred. We did not even think twice. We helped them, even if we had only meagre means; we offered them arms, a little bit of money, and in occasion, men.
Ahmed Ben Bella

With my government, we engaged in bringing our help to fights for national freedom. 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.
Ahmed Ben Bella

Yes, I am Algerian of Moroccan origin through my parents, but all my life is Algeria. I was born there.
Ahmed Ben Bella

Yes, my life is a life of combat; I can say that this has never stopped for a single instant. It is a combat that started for me at the age of 16. I'm 90 years old now, and my motivation hasn't changed; it's the same fervour that drives me.
Ahmed Ben Bella