Abdelaziz Bouteflika vs Modibo Keita

Bouteflika was elected president after all other candidates withdrew, citing fraud. His election aimed to end the Algerian Civil War, and he quickly pursued a policy of national reconciliation.

Bouteflika's government passed a charter offering amnesty to Islamist militants who laid down arms, effectively ending the Algerian Civil War. The charter was approved by referendum and led to a significant reduction in violence, though it was criticized for impunity.

Bouteflika, despite being in poor health and rarely appearing in public, won a fourth presidential term. The election was marred by low turnout and allegations of fraud, fueling public discontent that later erupted in the Hirak movement.

After months of massive weekly protests known as the Hirak movement, Bouteflika resigned from the presidency. The protests demanded an end to his rule and the dismantling of the political system that had kept him in power for 20 years.

Keita implemented a socialist economic program, nationalizing key industries, collectivizing agriculture, and establishing state-run enterprises. These policies aimed to reduce dependence on France and promote self-sufficiency but led to economic inefficiency and shortages.

Modibo Keita became the first President of Mali on September 22, 1960, after the country gained independence from France. He led the Sudanese Republic (formerly French Sudan) in breaking away from the short-lived Mali Federation with Senegal.

Keita was a leading pan-Africanist and co-founder of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963. He advocated for African unity and anti-colonialism, hosting the OAU's first summit in Addis Ababa and supporting liberation movements across the continent.

On November 19, 1968, Keita was overthrown in a military coup led by Lieutenant Moussa Traore. The coup was fueled by economic decline, popular discontent with austerity measures, and political repression. Keita was imprisoned and died in detention in 1977.