Henri Namphy vs Min Aung Hlaing

Henri Namphy became head of the National Council of Government (CNG) on February 7, 1986, after President Jean-Claude Duvalier fled Haiti. The CNG was a military junta that promised democratic reforms.

Namphy's CNG oversaw the drafting of a new constitution, approved by referendum in March 1987. However, the November 1987 presidential election was violently disrupted by the military, leading to its cancellation.

Namphy led a military coup on June 20, 1988, overthrowing President Leslie Manigat, whom he had previously allowed to take office. Namphy then reinstated himself as head of state, dissolving the elected government.

Namphy was himself deposed in a coup led by General Prosper Avril on September 17, 1988. His brief return to power ended after only three months, as internal military divisions led to his ouster.

Min Aung Hlaing was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces). He succeeded Than Shwe and became the most powerful military figure, overseeing the armed forces during the country's political transition.

Under Min Aung Hlaing's command, the Myanmar military launched a brutal crackdown in Rakhine State following attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. The operation resulted in mass killings, rape, and the displacement of over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to Bangladesh, leading to accusations of genocide.

Min Aung Hlaing led a military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup was justified by unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, and it plunged Myanmar into a civil war and economic crisis.

Following the coup, Min Aung Hlaing declared himself Prime Minister of the newly formed State Administration Council. He assumed executive power, reversing the country's democratic transition and consolidating military control.

In response to the coup and human rights abuses, the United States, European Union, and other nations imposed sanctions on Min Aung Hlaing and his associates. The sanctions targeted his assets and restricted travel, but failed to force a return to civilian rule.