Jean-Bédel Bokassa

2nd president (1966–76) and emperor (r. 1976–79) of the Central African Republic

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Lived 1921–1996, aged 75France

France

PoliticiansPolitician

Wikipedia
73 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1921–1996
Aged 75
Known for
Echoes from a Sombre E…
1990

Summary

Updated 2026-06-08

He seized the presidency of the Central African Republic in 1966, then three years later crowned himself emperor in a regime that styled itself a constitutional monarchy but ruled as autocracy. The imperial title earned no international recognition and lasted three years before a coup ended it.

Biography

About

Jean-Bédel Bokassa was born 22 February 1921 and took power in the Saint-Sylvestre coup d'état on 1 January 1966, becoming the second president of the Central African Republic. On 4 December 1976 he established the Central African Empire with himself as Bokassa I, an autocratic regime beneath constitutional trappings. Overthrown 21 September 1979, he was tried in absentia and sentenced to death. He returned to the CAR in 1986 to face trial for treason and murder; in 1987 the jury found him guilty of murdering schoolchildren and other crimes, leaving the cannibalism charges undecided under gene…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Jean-Bédel Bokassa

Jean-Bédel Bokassa

said1 Nov 1970

Our national policy is to cooperate in wide range with all the freedom-loving and democratic countries of the world

— Friend from central Africa 01 November, 1970

Jean-Bédel Bokassa

saidundated

This is Colonel Bokassa speaking to you. At 3 a.m. this morning, your army took control of the government. The Dacko government has resigned. The hour of justice is at hand!

— Bokassa I, The Cannibal Emperor Of Africa 15 March, 2021

Jean-Bédel Bokassa

saidundated