Maher al-Assad vs Mobutu Sese Seko

Maher al-Assad was appointed commander of the Syrian Republican Guard, an elite military unit responsible for protecting the regime, shortly after his brother Bashar became president in 2000. He also commanded the 4th Armored Division. His positions gave him significant influence over the military and security apparatus.

Maher al-Assad commanded military operations against protesters and armed opposition groups during the Syrian Civil War. His units were involved in brutal crackdowns, including the siege of Daraa and other cities. He was sanctioned by the US and EU for human rights abuses and was a key figure in the regime's war effort.

In 2018, rumors circulated that Maher al-Assad had been killed or seriously injured in an attack, possibly by a drone strike or assassination attempt. However, these reports were never confirmed, and he later appeared in public. The incident highlighted the ongoing threats to regime figures during the civil war.

Mobutu, as army chief of staff, led a bloodless coup against President Joseph Kasa-Vubu on November 24, 1965. He suspended the constitution, assumed full executive powers, and began a 32-year dictatorship, initially as president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mobutu renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Zaire and launched the Authenticity campaign. He forced citizens to adopt African names, banned Western clothing, and promoted traditional culture. The country's name, flag, and currency were changed to reflect African identity.

Mobutu's Zairianization policy seized foreign-owned plantations, mines, and businesses, transferring them to political allies and family members. The policy led to economic collapse, corruption, and a sharp decline in production, forcing partial reversal by 1977.

A coalition of Rwandan, Ugandan, and Congolese rebel forces led by Laurent Kabila advanced across Zaire. Mobutu, suffering from cancer, fled the capital Kinshasa on May 16, 1997. He died in exile in Morocco four months later, ending his 32-year rule.