# Jean-Bedel Bokassa

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

**Wikidata**: [Q162708](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q162708)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Bédel_Bokassa)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jean-bedel-bokassa

## Summary

Jean-Bedel Bokassa was born on February 22, 1921, in Bobangui [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. He died on November 3, 1996, in Bangui [1][3][4][5][6][7][8][11]. His religion was the Catholic Church .He had several children, including Jean-Bédel Bokassa Jr., Georges Bokassa, Jean-Serge Bokassa, Kiki Bokassa, Martine Bokassa, and Jean Le Grand Bokassa, along with three others [12][13].Bokassa received numerous awards during his life, such as the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the Grand Cross of the National Order of the Lion, the Croix de guerre 1939–1945, the Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures, the Grand Cross of the Order of Wissam El Alaouite, and the Grand Cordon of the National Order of the Leopard, among two more .

## Summary
Jean-Bédel Bokassa was a Central African military officer and politician who served as the 2nd President of the Central African Republic from 1966 to 1976 before declaring himself Emperor Bokassa I of the Central African Empire, ruling until his deposition in 1979. A former colonial administrator who fought for France in World War II and the First Indochina War, he seized power in a coup and established a self-proclaimed imperial dynasty known as the House of Bokassa. His reign is historically noted for its extreme authoritarianism, the transformation of the republic into an empire, and his extensive receipt of foreign military decorations.

## Biography
- **Born**: February 22, 1921
- **Nationality**: French (citizenship), Central African Republic (citizenship), Central African Empire (citizenship)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Seizing power in the Central African Republic, declaring himself Emperor, and establishing the House of Bokassa
- **Employer(s)**: French Armed Forces (served as a military officer), Central African Republic (President), Central African Empire (Emperor)
- **Field(s)**: Politics, Military, Sovereignty

## Contributions
- **Establishment of the Central African Empire**: On December 4, 1976, Bokassa transformed the Central African Republic into the Central African Empire, declaring himself Emperor Bokassa I and founding the House of Bokassa.
- **Military Service in Colonial Conflicts**: Served as a military officer for France during World War II (1939–1945) and the First Indochina War (1946–1954), earning multiple French military decorations for his participation.
- **Political Leadership**: Led the Central African Republic as its 2nd President from 1966 to 1976, following a coup that overthrew David Dacko.
- **Founding of a Royal House**: Established the House of Bokassa on December 4, 1976, creating a self-proclaimed African royal and imperial lineage.

## FAQs
**What was Jean-Bédel Bokassa's role in the French military?**
Bokassa served as a military officer in the French armed forces, participating in major conflicts including World War II and the First Indochina War. His service earned him numerous French military decorations, such as the Croix de guerre 1939–1945 and the Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures.

**How did Bokassa come to power in the Central African Republic?**
He seized power in a coup d'état in 1966, overthrowing the first president, David Dacko. Following this takeover, he ruled the country as president for a decade before restructuring the nation into an empire.

**What title did Bokassa hold after 1976?**
In 1976, he abolished the presidency and declared himself Emperor Bokassa I of the newly formed Central African Empire. He held this title until his deposition in 1979.

**Which countries awarded Bokassa with honors?**
Bokassa received awards from a wide range of nations, including France, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Sudan, Madagascar, the Republic of the Congo, Togo, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, Tunisia, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Morocco.

**What happened to Bokassa's rule in 1979?**
His reign as Emperor ended in 1979 when he was deposed, marking the end of the Central African Empire and the restoration of the republic.

## Why They Matter
Jean-Bédel Bokassa represents a pivotal and controversial figure in post-colonial African history, illustrating the volatility of political transitions in the region. His transformation of the Central African Republic into the Central African Empire was a unique historical event where a modern African state adopted an imperial monarchical structure, challenging the prevailing republican norms of the era. His extensive network of international awards highlights the complex diplomatic relationships between African leaders and former colonial powers or other global states during the Cold War. Furthermore, his establishment of the House of Bokassa created a distinct, albeit short-lived, royal lineage that remains a subject of historical study regarding African monarchy and authoritarianism.

## Notable For
- **Emperor Bokassa I**: The only person to rule the Central African Empire as an emperor.
- **House of Bokassa**: Founder of the self-proclaimed African royal and imperial house established in 1976.
- **Military Decorations**: Recipient of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, Knight of the Legion of Honour, Croix de guerre 1939–1945, and Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures from France.
- **International Honors**: Awarded the Order of Merit, Order of recognition, Order of the Equatorial Star, Order of the Two Niles, National Order of Madagascar, Congolese Order of Merit, National Order of Merit (Togo), Order of the Yugoslav Star, Order of Ouissam Alaouite, National Order of the Lion of Senegal, National Order of the Leopard, National Order of Chad, Order of Independence, Order of the National Flag, National Order of the Ivory Coast, Order of Valour, Order of the Nile, Order of the Star of Ethiopia, and the National Order of Merit (French Republic).
- **Coup Leader**: Overthrew David Dacko to become the 2nd President of the Central African Republic in 1966.
- **Imperial Coronation**: Proclaimed the Central African Empire on December 4, 1976.
- **Military Service**: Served in World War II and the First Indochina War.
- **Aliases**: Known as Bokassa I of Central Africa, Salah Eddine Ahmed Bokassa, and Jean-Bédel Bokassa.
- **Nicknames**: Referred to as "ogre of berengo."

## Body

### Early Life and Military Service
Jean-Bédel Bokassa was born on February 22, 1921. He held citizenship in France, the Central African Republic, and the Central African Empire. Before entering politics, he served as a military officer in the French armed forces. His military career included participation in World War II (1939–1945) and the First Indochina War (1946–1954). During these conflicts, he was recognized for his service with several French military decorations. These awards included the Croix de guerre 1939–1945, the Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures, the Commemorative medal for voluntary service in Free France, the Indochina Campaign commemorative medal, the Colonial Medal, the Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1939–1945, the Croix du combattant volontaire 1939–1945, and the Croix du combattant volontaire de la Résistance. He also received the Legion of Honour, holding both the rank of Knight and the Grand Cross.

### Political Rise and Presidency
Bokassa entered the political sphere as a former colonial administrator. In 1966, he seized power in a coup d'état, overthrowing the then-president, David Dacko. Following this event, Bokassa became the 2nd President of the Central African Republic, a position he held from 1966 until 1976. During his presidency, he maintained a strong grip on the nation's governance. His tenure as president was characterized by his transition from a republican leader to an imperial figurehead.

### The Central African Empire and Imperial Rule
On December 4, 1976, Bokassa fundamentally altered the political structure of his nation by declaring the Central African Republic as the Central African Empire. He assumed the title of Emperor Bokassa I. This act led to the creation of the House of Bokassa, a self-proclaimed African royal and imperial house. As Emperor, he ruled the country until his deposition in 1979. The Central African Empire existed as a distinct political entity during this period, with Bokassa as its sovereign leader.

### International Recognition and Awards
Bokassa's reign was marked by an extensive array of international awards and honors received from various nations. From France, he received the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour and the Knight of the Legion of Honour. From the Central African Republic, he was awarded the Order of Merit and the Order of recognition. He received the Order of the Equatorial Star from Gabon, the Order of the Two Niles from Sudan, the National Order of Madagascar from Madagascar, and the Congolese Order of Merit from the Republic of the Congo. Other honors included the National Order of Merit from Togo, the Order of the Yugoslav Star, the Order of Ouissam Alaouite from Morocco, the National Order of the Lion of Senegal, the National Order of the Leopard from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the National Order of Chad, the Order of Independence from Tunisia, the Order of the National Flag from North Korea, the National Order of the Ivory Coast, the Order of Valour from Cameroon, the Order of the Nile from Egypt, and the Order of the Star of Ethiopia. He also received the National Order of Merit from the French Republic.

### Legacy and Identity
Jean-Bédel Bokassa is identified in historical records as a human, politician, military officer, criminal, and sovereign. His life spanned from February 22, 1921, to November 3, 1996. He is associated with the conflicts of World War II and the First Indochina War. His aliases include Bokassa I of Central Africa, Salah Eddine Ahmed Bokassa, and Jean-Bédel Bokassa. He is often referred to by the nickname "ogre of berengo." His legacy is tied to the short-lived Central African Empire and the House of Bokassa. He is a subject of numerous biographical entries and historical analyses, with identifiers such as the Wikidata ID Q189988 and various library catalog numbers. His story remains a significant chapter in the history of Central Africa, reflecting the complexities of post-colonial leadership and the ambition of imperial restoration in the modern era.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/05/world/jean-bedel-bokassa-self-crowned-emperor-central-african-republic-dies-75.html)
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
3. [Source](https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/bokassa-jean-bedel-1921-1996/)
4. [Source](http://www.npr.org/books/titles/138046097/the-heartless-stone-a-journey-through-the-world-of-diamonds-deceit-and-desire)
5. BnF authorities
6. Dictionary of African Biography
7. [Source](https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/22597/Former-Emperor-s-Son-Roughs-It-on-Streets-of-Paris)
8. [Source](https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=aSxIDAAAQBAJ&lpg=PA487&ots=erbqVhRZ_O&dq=%22saint-cyr%20BOKASSA%22&pg=PA487#v=onepage&q=%22saint-cyr%20BOKASSA%22&f=false)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. SNAC
13. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
14. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
15. Roglo
16. Munzinger Personen
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. [Source](https://www.liberation.fr/planete/1996/11/05/special-usa-bokassa-mort-d-un-tyran-dechu-l-ex-empereur-de-la-centrafrique-est-decede-dimanche-a-ban_189428/)
19. [Source](https://www.oxfordreference.com/abstract/10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001/acref-9780195382075-e-0363)