Assimi Goita vs Pak Yong-sik

Assimi Goita led a military coup that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Ke

Under Goita, the Islamist insurgency in Mali intensified, with attacks on civilians and military. The withdrawal of French forces and reliance on Wagner Group led to mixed results. The security situation remained dire.

Goita staged a second coup, removing interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane. He then declared himself interim president. The move was condemned by ECOWAS and the AU, leading to sanctions.

Goita's government expelled French troops and ended the Barkhane counter-terrorism mission. He turned to Russia's Wagner Group for security assistance. The move shifted Mali's foreign policy away from Western allies.

Goita postponed elections indefinitely, citing security and constitutional reforms. He proposed a transition period of up to five years. ECOWAS imposed sanctions, which were later lifted after a deal for elections by 2024.

Pak Yong-sik was appointed as North Korea's Minister of People's Armed Forces, making him the top military official responsible for the Korean People's Army. This appointment placed him in a key position during a period of heightened tensions with South Korea and the United States.

Pak Yong-sik was reportedly purged and executed by the Kim Jong-un regime. His removal was part of a broader crackdown on military officials, reflecting ongoing power struggles within the North Korean leadership.