Biography of jean bokassa biography

Who was Jean-Bédel Bokassa?

Jean-Bédel Bokassa, also known as Bokassa I of CentralAfrica and SalahEddineAhmed Bokassa, was a militaryofficer and the head of state of the CentralAfricanRepublic and its successor state, the CentralAfrican Empire, from his coup d'état on 1 January 1966 until 20 September 1979.

Of this period, he servedalmostelevenyears as president, and for almostthreeyears he reigned as self-proclaimed emperor. Following his overthrow, the CentralAfricanRepublic was restored. Bokassa's imperialtitle did not achieveinternationaldiplomatic recognition.

Born in FrenchEquatorial Africa, the son of a village chief, Jean-Bédel Bokassa was orphaned at age 12.

Biography of jean bokassa biography wikipedia

Educated in mission schools, he joined the Frenchcolonial army in 1939 as a private. He distinguishedhimself in the war in Indochina, winningmedals and rising to the rank of captain. When FrenchEquatorialAfricagained its independence as the CentralAfricanRepublic in 1960, the new presidentDavid Dacko, who was his dist