Henri Namphy vs Yahya Khan

Henri Namphy became head of the National Council of Government (CNG) on February 7, 1986, after President Jean-Claude Duvalier fled Haiti. The CNG was a military junta that promised democratic reforms.

Namphy's CNG oversaw the drafting of a new constitution, approved by referendum in March 1987. However, the November 1987 presidential election was violently disrupted by the military, leading to its cancellation.

Namphy led a military coup on June 20, 1988, overthrowing President Leslie Manigat, whom he had previously allowed to take office. Namphy then reinstated himself as head of state, dissolving the elected government.

Namphy was himself deposed in a coup led by General Prosper Avril on September 17, 1988. His brief return to power ended after only three months, as internal military divisions led to his ouster.

Yahya Khan took over as President after Ayub Khan's resignation. He imposed martial law and promised a return to civilian rule through elections, but his regime was marked by political instability and the growing crisis in East Pakistan.

Yahya Khan held Pakistan's first general election based on universal suffrage. The Awami League won a landslide in East Pakistan, while the PPP won in West Pakistan. The refusal to accept the results led to the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Yahya Khan ordered a military crackdown in East Pakistan to suppress the Bengali independence movement. The operation involved widespread atrocities, including mass killings and rape, leading to a humanitarian crisis and the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Pakistan's military surrendered to Indian forces in Dhaka, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. Yahya Khan's regime was discredited, and he resigned, handing power to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The defeat was a major national humiliation.