Mohammad Zahir Shah vs Yuhi V Musinga

Mohammad Zahir Shah became King of Afghanistan at age 19 after the assassination of his father, Nadir Shah. His reign lasted 40 years, making him one of the longest-serving monarchs in Afghan history. He initially ruled under the guidance of his uncles.

Zahir Shah promulgated a new constitution in 1964, transforming Afghanistan into a constitutional monarchy. The constitution established a bicameral parliament, guaranteed civil liberties, and allowed for political parties. This period, known as the 'New Democracy,' saw a flourishing of political activity.

While undergoing medical treatment in Italy, Zahir Shah was overthrown in a coup by his cousin Mohammed Daoud Khan on July 17, 1973. He abdicated and remained in exile in Rome for nearly 30 years, ending the Afghan monarchy.

After the fall of the Taliban, Zahir Shah returned to Afghanistan in April 2002 as a private citizen. He was welcomed by the new government but declined to reclaim the throne, instead supporting the political process. He died in 2007 in Kabul.

Yuhi V Musinga became mwami of Rwanda after a coup killed his half-brother Mibambwe IV Rutarindwa. His mother Kanjogera and her allies installed him as a child ruler, with real power held by the queen mother and her faction.

Yuhi V Musinga signed a treaty with the German Empire, placing Rwanda under German protection. This agreement formalized colonial rule, with the mwami retaining limited authority under German supervision.

After Belgium took control of Rwanda from Germany in 1916, Yuhi V Musinga resisted Belgian efforts to abolish the ubuhake system and reduce his authority. He refused to implement colonial reforms, leading to tensions with Belgian administrators.

Belgian colonial authorities deposed Yuhi V Musinga for his refusal to cooperate with their reforms and his opposition to Christianity. He was exiled to Moba in the Belgian Congo, where he died in 1944.