Gaafar Nimeiry vs Liamine Zeroual

Gaafar Nimeiry, then a colonel, led the Free Officers Movement in a bloodless coup that overthrew the civilian government of Prime Minister Mohamed Ahmed Mahgoub. Nimeiry established the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) and declared Sudan a socialist state.

Nimeiry signed the Addis Ababa Agreement with the Anyanya rebel group, ending the First Sudanese Civil War (1955-1972). The agreement granted southern Sudan regional autonomy and ended 17 years of conflict, marking a major achievement in Nimeiry's early rule.

Nimeiry abandoned his socialist policies and adopted Islamic Sharia law, imposing hudud punishments and dissolving the southern autonomy. This decision alienated the non-Muslim south and reignited civil war, leading to the formation of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA).

Nimeiry was overthrown by a military coup led by General Abdel Rahman Swar al-Dahab while he was on a visit to the United States. The coup was triggered by widespread protests against economic hardship, corruption, and the ongoing civil war. Nimeiry went into exile in Egypt.

Liamine Zeroual was appointed Minister of Defense by President Chadli Bendjedid in 1990. He oversaw the military during the early stages of the Algerian Civil War, which began after the 1991 election cancellation.

Zeroual was elected President of Algeria in November 1994, succeeding the High State Council. His presidency focused on ending the civil war through a combination of military force and political dialogue with Islamist groups.

Zeroual oversaw a constitutional referendum in November 1996 that banned political parties based on religion and strengthened presidential powers. The reforms aimed to stabilize the political system but were criticized for limiting pluralism.

Zeroual resigned as president in January 1999, two years before his term ended, citing health reasons. He was succeeded by Abdelaziz Bouteflika after a controversial election. His early departure was seen as a step to allow a new leader to pursue peace.