The African continent has a unique history, as it has hardly been completely independent during its existence but was a metropolitan colony as a source of oil, uranium, and ores. This created a rather harsh socio-economic environment in mainland countries, which indeed hurt local populations. In particular, the Central African Republic (CAR) was characterized by regular military coups, uprisings, and illegal tricks that changed the country’s power. Jean-Bedel Bokassa was one of the most notable, brutal central figures whose rule was shrouded in secrecy. He took power in a coup d’état during which the former head of CAR was put under arrest. Despite all the rigidity, inhumanity, and, according to some sources, cannibalism, Bokassa was known among the people as a philanthropist. This research paper aims to discuss Bokassa’s political measures to win and retain power and the nature of his rule.
In the second half of the 20th century, the geopolitical features of the world led Africa to be under pressure from major developed countries. Obviously, such conditions gave rise to African descent, so there were often uprisings and armed conflicts on the CAR territory that sought to change lives qualitatively. At the same time, power was not transferred to the more popular and legitimate political opposition leader but was given to the hard and bloody. Jean Bokassa, who came to power on New Year’s Eve in 1966, was remembered by the world as an eccentric and shocking ruler who had no objection to staging repressions and executions, as well as grand celebrations of his coronation for a quarter of the state budget.
If to describe the personality of a dictator briefly, it should be said that at the age of 6, Bokassa lost his parents; later, he strangled and ate his first girlfriend, and then fed his new ones with her body. Moreover, Bokassa was an ardent follower of Napoleon, and the dictator’s fate was that he partially repeated Bonaparte’s scenario: during the coronation the Pope was present, and after his overthrow, the ruler returned home in the hope of being forgiven, but he went to prison (Stewart 31). Bokassa’s coming to power was no less cruel: on December 31, 1965, the chief of the CAR gendarmerie planned a coup d’état to overthrow the current President, David Dacko, but Bokassa bribed the army and took power for himself. Four days later, the ruler revoked the country’s constitution, forced the entire adult population of the republic to join the party, and began a policy of dictatorship. Nevertheless, to gain public trust, President amnestied female criminals and imposed severe sanctions against thieves.
Inhuman methods of governance had repeatedly led to coups d’état and attempts to kill the eccentric ruler. Tired of such attempts and the presidential race, the governor decided to make CAR an empire and himself an absolute emperor (“Jean-Bédel Bokassa”). It is erroneous to think that Bokassa’s political views changed with the acquisition of emperor status. In fact, cruelty and terror reigned over the CAR: the slightest fault was followed by excessive punishment. For example, the ear was cut off for two offenses, and the hand was cut off for the third, and Bokassa himself was often personally present at this kind of massacre. Unwanted persons and potential competitors were displaced, expelled, arrested, medieval tortured, and executed. Various sources report that the Emperor had an unhealthy interest in the severed body parts, as the remains of the executed were occasionally found in the Emperor’s refrigerator (Lazareva). Moreover, it may appear that Bokassa was testing the stability and tolerance of his subordinates, as he was carrying out a series of inappropriate reforms, such as the obligation of all schoolchildren and students to wear expensive uniforms with the face of the ruler or the execution of a minister because of a minor conflict. Under the Emperor, among other things, there were massacres of children due to insubordination and protests.
It is also interesting to note the foreign policy of Bokassa. Most of his strategies, such as friendship with Gaddafi, Brezhnev, and Ceausescu, had the same goal: obtain financial and political assistance from France through blackmail. Bokassa was not stingy with betrayal and hypocrisy: despite accepting Islam in honor of his friendship with Libyan politician Muammar Gaddafi, he quickly broke off his financial friendly relations to pay for the expensive coronation ceremony.
Having initially enjoyed some support from the French government, which feared that an alternative government might come to power, Bokassa soon lost Paris’ confidence. During his visit to Libya on September 20, 1979, the French landing operation Barracuda landed in the CAR capital and seized the presidential palace. In 1987, Bokassa returned to his homeland from emigration, where he was arrested and brought to court. The former ruler was found guilty on all counts, including treason, murder, and theft, except for cannibalism, which resulted in the death penalty. However, six years later, Bokassa was granted amnesty and tried again, albeit without success, to participate in the presidential race.
In conclusion, the history of CAR is full of political upheavals and violent events, but the reign of Jean-Bedel Bokassa is particularly remarkable in terms of the measures taken. The President, and then the Emperor, is known to be a real dictator, using harsh repressive methods against citizens. Bokassa’s coming to power is no less remarkable because he sabotaged a coup d’état and put the former President under arrest. Although Bokassa was not in power for long, his empire will be remembered by the world for a long time.
Works Cited
“Jean-Bédel Bokassa.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 2020.
Lazareva, Inna. “In the Central African Republic, Nostalgia for a Leader Who is Said to Have Fed His Critics to the Crocodiles.” The Washington Post, 2017. Web.
Stewart, Michelle. “The “Big Man” as Fictional Archetype in the Work of Robert Hodgins and William Kentridge.” De Arte, vol. 54, no. 1, 2019, pp. 25-59.