Chadli Bendjedid vs Mokhtar Ould Daddah

Bendjedid was elected president after the death of Houari Boumediene. His election marked a shift from the revolutionary era to a period of political and economic liberalization in Algeria.

After the October 1988 riots, Bendjedid introduced a new constitution that ended the one-party system and allowed for multiparty elections. He also implemented economic liberalization measures, moving away from state socialism.

Facing a likely victory by the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the second round of parliamentary elections, Bendjedid resigned under pressure from the military. His resignation triggered the Algerian Civil War, a decade-long conflict between the government and Islamist insurgents.

Mokhtar Ould Daddah led Mauritania to independence from France on November 28, 1960. He became the country's first president, establishing the political framework of the new nation.

Ould Daddah amended the constitution to establish a one-party state under the Mauritanian People's Party. This move consolidated his power and eliminated political opposition.

Mauritania annexed the southern third of Western Sahara after Spain withdrew, leading to conflict with the Polisario Front. The war drained Mauritania's resources and caused economic hardship.

Ould Daddah was overthrown in a bloodless military coup led by Colonel Mustafa Ould Salek on July 10, 1978. The coup ended his 18-year rule, triggered by failures in the Western Sahara war and economic decline.