Magnus Malan vs Sani Abacha

Malan was appointed Chief of the South African Defence Force (SADF). He oversaw the military's expansion and its involvement in the Border War in Angola and Namibia, as well as operations to destabilize neighboring countries.

Malan was appointed Minister of Defence in P.W. Botha's government. He oversaw the SADF's operations, including cross-border raids into neighboring countries, and the implementation of the 'total strategy' to counter the anti-apartheid movement.

Under Malan's leadership, the SADF conducted cross-border raids into Angola, Mozambique, and Lesotho, targeting ANC bases and infrastructure. These operations aimed to disrupt the armed struggle but also caused civilian casualties and regional instability.

Malan was involved in the negotiation of the Nkomati Accord, a non-aggression pact between South Africa and Mozambique. The accord required both sides to stop supporting each other's armed opponents, but South Africa later violated it.

Malan was charged with murder and conspiracy in connection with the 1987 killing of 13 people, including women and children, in KwaMakhutha. He was acquitted in 1996, but the trial highlighted the SADF's involvement in human rights abuses.

General Sani Abacha seized power in a coup, overthrowing the interim government of Ernest Shonekan. Abacha cited the need to restore order after the political crisis following the annulled 1993 election.

Abacha's regime arrested and detained numerous political opponents, including former head of state Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, who were accused of plotting a coup. The crackdown consolidated Abacha's authoritarian rule.

Abacha's regime executed writer and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists after a controversial trial. The execution drew international condemnation and led to Nigeria's suspension from the Commonwealth.

Abacha initiated a transition program to civilian rule, with himself as the sole presidential candidate. The program was widely seen as a sham to legitimize his continued rule. It ended abruptly with his death.

Abacha died suddenly at the age of 54, officially from a heart attack. His death ended his five-year dictatorship and opened the door for a transition to civilian rule in Nigeria.