Ali Babacan vs Jean-Pierre Bemba

Babacan was appointed Minister of Economy on May 1, 2009, succeeding Mehmet Simsek. He oversaw Turkey's economic policy during a period of rapid growth, implementing reforms that attracted foreign investment and stabilized the economy after the 2008 crisis.

Babacan was appointed Deputy Prime Minister responsible for economic and financial affairs on July 14, 2011. He coordinated economic policy, including negotiations with the IMF and EU, and oversaw the privatization of state assets, contributing to Turkey's economic expansion.

Babacan left the AKP in July 2019 and co-founded the Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) on March 9, 2020. The party positioned itself as a centrist alternative to the AKP, advocating for democratic reforms and economic liberalization, challenging Erdogan's rule.

Babacan's DEVA Party joined the Nation Alliance opposition coalition for the May 2023 elections. The alliance failed to unseat Erdogan, and DEVA won no seats in parliament, marking a setback for Babacan's political ambitions.

Jean-Pierre Bemba founded the MLC, a rebel group backed by Uganda, during the Second Congo War. The MLC became one of the most powerful armed groups in the DRC, controlling large parts of the north and engaging in widespread human rights abuses.

As part of the peace deal ending the Second Congo War, Bemba was appointed one of four vice presidents in the transitional government. He oversaw the economic and finance portfolio, marking his transition from warlord to political leader.

Bemba lost the presidential runoff election to Joseph Kabila, receiving about 42% of the vote. The election was marred by violence between supporters of both candidates, and Bemba initially rejected the results before accepting them under international pressure.

Bemba was arrested in Belgium and transferred to the ICC in The Hague. He was charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by his MLC troops in the Central African Republic in 2002-2003, where they had intervened to support the government.

The ICC convicted Bemba of two counts of crimes against humanity (murder and rape) and three counts of war crimes (murder, rape, and pillaging). He was sentenced to 18 years in prison, becoming the highest-profile conviction at the ICC at the time.

The ICC Appeals Chamber overturned Bemba's conviction, ruling that the trial chamber had erred in its interpretation of command responsibility. Bemba was released after nearly a decade in detention, a decision that sparked controversy and criticism from human rights groups.

After his release, Bemba returned to the DRC and re-entered politics, leading his MLC party. He formed an alliance with Felix Tshisekedi and was appointed as a roving ambassador, though his political influence was diminished compared to his earlier career.