AFTER THE TIME

Jean Bedel Bokassa was born in 1921. He became a General in the Central African army. Not content with this position, in January 1966 he staged a military coup, deposed President David Dacko, and made himself the President of Central Africa. But even after becoming President, Bokassa was not satisfied. He feared he might lose the next election. So, in 1976 he dissolved Parliament and declared himself Emperor. He wore the crown and was called Emperor Bokassa. Yet the problem was not solved. Emperor Bokassa now faced what the Encyclopedia Britannica (Vol. 3, p. 1100) described as the “realities of French economic control.” The valuable mines of Central Africa were in France’s hands. In the new political order, France felt its economic interests were threatened. With French support, another military coup took place in 1980, and David Dacko was restored as President. In June 1987, Bokassa was executed.

After the coup, Bokassa managed to leave the country. But in October 1986 he returned to Central Africa. On arrival, he was arrested (Indian Express, 9 June 1987). He faced serious charges, including ordering the killing of 40 people and handing out millions of dollars in bribes from the state treasury. The State Prosecutor, Gabriel Mboudou, told the criminal court in Bangui that after the crimes of Bokassa’s 14-year rule, it was necessary to sentence him to death. On 8 June 1987, Bokassa appeared in court and said:

“Today, I only want to live in peace as a simple citizen.”

If a person chooses contentment, he never has to face disgrace or failure.