Jean-Bédel Bokassa

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Jean-Bédel Bokassa
Bokassa portrait (cropped).jpg
Bokassa in 1970
Emperor of Central Africa
Reign
4 December 1976 – 21 September 1979 (1976-12-04 – 1979-09-21)
Proclamation4 December 1976
Coronation4 December 1977
Overthrow21 September 1979
Preceded byHimself (as president)
Succeeded byDavid Dacko (as president)
2nd President of the Central African Republic
In office
1 January 1966 – 4 December 1976 (1966-01-01 – 1976-12-04)
Coup d'état31 December 1965
Preceded byDavid Dacko
Succeeded byHimself (as emperor)
Personal details
Born(1921-02-22)22 February 1921
Bobangui, Ubangi-Shari, French Equatorial Africa
Died3 November 1996(1996-11-03) (aged 75)
Bangui, Central African Republic
Political partyMovement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa
Spouse(s)
Relations
Children
HouseBokassa
Civil awardsOrder of Central African Merit
Military service
Allegiance
Branch
Service years1939–1966
RankColonel
Wars
Military awards

Jean-Bédel Bokassa ([ʒɑ̃ bedɛl bɔkasa]; 22 February 1921 – 3 November 1996), also known as Bokassa I, was a Central African political and military leader. He was the second president of the Central African Republic and as the emperor of the Central African Empire, from his Saint-Sylvestre coup d'état on 1 January 1966 until overthrown in a coup in 1979.[1]

References[change | change source]

  1. Orizio, Riccardo. "Dear Tyrant". Granta. Retrieved 31 October 2019.