Compare and contrast the impact of military rule on two post-independence African countries.

The question requires that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences with respect to the impact of military rule on two post-independence African countries. Both countries must be referred to throughout the response. Candidates may consider a range of issues including the method used by the military to seize power, the nature of the government that was replaced by the military, the physical destruction or social and political conflict arising from their assumption of power, the degree to which the military was able to maintain or improve government operations, their treatment of the civilian population including legal rights and cultural or religious issues, and their role in promoting or preventing internal or external conflicts. Economic effects and foreign relations may be considered as well as their attitude to the restoration of civilian government. While both similarities and differences must be addressed, there need not be an equal number of each.