The Central African Republic has had an eventful and difficult struggle in becoming a free nation. In 1966 a new leader took over the Central African Republic (CAR), making a change for the worse in the lives of the people of the Central African Republic. Jean-Bedel Bokassa was not a benevolent dictator; in fact he was the opposite, a cruel, deranged tyrant. He destroyed the CAR’s economy through embezzlement, senseless spending and ruled with ruthlessness. There is even evidence to prove that he was a cannibal and feasted on his enemies.

The CAR economy crumbled under Bokassa’s rule due to his enormous greed. When he came into power in 1966 Bokassa attempted to reform the CAR’s economy with ‘Operation Bokassa’, a plan that sought to create huge nationalised farms and industries (, 07/28/07). This implies that he cared and sought to improve the CAR and some will claim it was successful with one diplomat stating: “Things worked under Bokassa. The roads were good and the country was safe.” (Cited in: Jones, , 24 July 2001). Jones also says that many people credit him with establishing universities, sports stadiums and roads. This suggests that he treated the CAR’s economy and citizens with care. Bokassa himself said on the subject: “In my country everybody calls me papa.” (Cited in: , June 11 1979), demonstrating how the people saw he was watching over them as an almost father figure. However, this sunny view is opposed by Encyclopaedia Britannica (, 07/28/07) which says that the Operation failed because of poor management and also Krieger (p188, 1933) who claims that the CAR’s fragile infrastructure and economy both deteriorated while he was in power. The reality is that Bokassa helped himself to gems from the mines, looted resources  and used his country’s funds to pay for his own luxuries (Kreiger 1993, p118); he was later charged with embezzlement of state funds (Jean-Bédel Bokassa Trial: 1986-87." Great World Trials. Edited by Edward W. Knappman. Gale Research, 1994, 20/07/07). Things took a turn for the worst when, on December 4, 1977, Bokassa bizarrely announced himself Emperor for Life of the CAR (, April 1 2007) and threw himself an extravagant coronation. The ceremony cost $200 million dollars (Cawthorne, 2004, p182 and Safra, 2003, p335), using ¼ of the annual revenue of the CAR (Dowling, , June 17 2006 and Giles, 1997, p34). This proves how selfish he was as he deliberately deprived his people of such an enormous capital which was desperately needed by his impoverished people. He even dared to wear a 5 million dollar crown (Cawthorne, 2004, p182). This evidence is supported by Appendix 3 which shows Bokassa sitting on a gold eagle thrown wearing the elaborate crown. Goldsmith’s ‘Echoes from a Sombre Empire’ corroborates with this and the video footage illustrates the excessive coronation. The coronation shows that he was not only uncaring, but also ignorant of the needs of his people and was only interested in his own happiness. Bokassa’s greed ruined the CAR’s economy and, he only got away with it because of his use of excessive violence.

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The people of the CAR were treated appallingly by Bokassa, who used violence to control and exploit them. There are endless horror stories about Bokassa or the “Butcher of Bangui” as he has become known. The emperors ex neighbour stated, “My brother was walking home past the place grounds. He was taken inside, we never saw him again.” (Cited in: Jones, , 24 July 2001). This shows how people did just disappear; with no explanation and that human rights were virtually a myth during his regime. Another story told by a university professor states that Bokassa, “used to scoop ...

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