Abiy Ahmed vs Zviad Gamsakhurdia

Abiy Ahmed was elected Prime Minister of Ethiopia by the ruling coalition, EPRDF. He succeeded Hailemariam Desalegn and immediately embarked on sweeping political reforms, including releasing political prisoners and opening up the political space.

Abiy signed a peace agreement with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, ending a 20-year border conflict. The deal led to the reopening of embassies, resumption of flights, and the awarding of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize to Abiy.

Abiy initiated economic liberalization, including partial privatization of state-owned enterprises like Ethio Telecom and Ethiopian Airlines. He also introduced a new investment law and sought to attract foreign capital, aiming to transform Ethiopia into a middle-income country.

Abiy ordered a military offensive against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) after a federal-state dispute. The Tigray War resulted in widespread atrocities, a humanitarian crisis, and the destabilization of northern Ethiopia, drawing international condemnation.

Facing military setbacks and international pressure, Abiy declared a unilateral ceasefire in Tigray. The ceasefire was initially rejected by the TPLF, but it eventually led to peace talks and the Pretoria Agreement in 2022, ending the two-year war.

Gamsakhurdia was elected Chairman of the Supreme Council of Georgia, effectively becoming the head of state. He led Georgia's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, ending 70 years of Soviet rule.

Gamsakhurdia won the first direct presidential election in Georgia with 86% of the vote. He became the first democratically elected president of the country. His presidency focused on consolidating independence and asserting Georgian sovereignty.

Gamsakhurdia was overthrown by a military coup backed by paramilitary groups and former allies. He fled to Chechnya. The coup led to a civil war and the rise of Eduard Shevardnadze. Gamsakhurdia's authoritarian style and nationalist policies had alienated many.

Gamsakhurdia returned to Georgia to lead an armed rebellion against Shevardnadze's government. He died in unclear circumstances in a village in western Georgia, reportedly by suicide or assassination. His death ended the rebellion.