Helmuth von Moltke the Younger vs Ibrahim Bare Mainassara

Moltke, as Chief of the German General Staff, commanded the German armies during the First Battle of the Marne. His modification of the Schlieffen Plan and loss of communication with his armies contributed to the German defeat. The battle ended German hopes for a quick victory in the west.

Moltke oversaw the German invasion of Belgium and France in August 1914. The German armies achieved initial victories at the Battles of the Frontiers, but the advance was slowed by logistical problems and Belgian resistance. This set the stage for the failure at the Marne.

After the German defeat at the First Battle of the Marne, Moltke was dismissed as Chief of the German General Staff on 14 September 1914. He was replaced by Erich von Falkenhayn. Moltke's health deteriorated and he died in 1916, blamed by many for Germany's failure to win a quick victory.

Colonel Ibrahim Bare Mainassara led a military coup that overthrew President Mahamane Ousmane, ending Niger's first democratic experiment. Mainassara cited political instability and economic mismanagement as reasons for the takeover.

Mainassara won a presidential election widely condemned as fraudulent by international observers. The election was boycotted by major opposition parties, and Mainassara's rule remained contested throughout his presidency.

President Mainassara was assassinated by members of his own presidential guard at Niamey airport. The assassination was followed by a coup led by Major Daouda Malam Wank