Why Jean-Bedel Bokassa is the Second Worst Dictator after Hitler in history?
Introduction
Jean-Bedel Bokassa, also known as Bokassa I, was a former military officer who became the leader of the Central African Republic (CAR) in 1966 after a military coup. He ruled the country for 13 years until he was overthrown in a coup led by a French-backed coalition in 1979. During his time in power, Bokassa was notorious for his brutal and authoritarian rule, which earned him a reputation as one of the world's worst dictators. In this article, we will examine why Jean-Bedel Bokassa is considered the second worst dictator in history, behind only Adolf Hitler.
Background and Rise to Power:
Jean-Bedel Bokassa was born in 1921 in Bobangui, French Equatorial Africa (present-day CAR). He was the youngest of four children and was raised by his mother after his father died when he was a young child. Bokassa attended a French school and later joined the French army, where he served as a non-commissioned officer in Indochina and Algeria. After returning to the CAR, Bokassa was appointed as commander of the army in 1966 by President David Dacko, who was his cousin. However, just a few months later, Bokassa overthrew Dacko in a military coup and declared himself president.
Bokassa's Regime:
Bokassa's regime was characterized by brutality, corruption, and an authoritarian style of governance. He quickly established himself as an absolute ruler, and any opposition was met with violent repression. Bokassa banned all political parties and imposed strict censorship laws to control the media. He also established a cult of personality around himself, which included erecting statues of himself and changing the name of the country to the Central African Empire in 1976, with Bokassa declaring himself Emperor.
Bokassa’s regime was also marked by extreme violence and human rights abuses. He ordered the execution of suspected opponents, including schoolchildren who had protested against his rule. Bokassa was also accused of cannibalism and was alleged to have eaten the flesh of some of his victims. In addition, he maintained a private army of over 2,000 soldiers who were used to enforce his rule.
Economic Mismanagement:
Bokassa's regime was also marked by economic mismanagement, which resulted in the country's economic decline. He spent vast sums of money on grandiose projects, such as the construction of a massive palace and hosting lavish state dinners for foreign dignitaries. Bokassa also spent millions of dollars on his coronation as Emperor, which was attended by many foreign heads of state.
In addition, Bokassa's regime was riddled with corruption, and he embezzled large sums of money from the country's treasury. He also established a monopoly over the diamond trade, which allowed him to accumulate enormous wealth. However, this came at the expense of the country's development, as the profits from the diamond trade were not invested in the country's infrastructure or social services.
Fall from Power:
Bokassa's brutal regime came to an end in 1979 when a coalition of French and African troops invaded the country and overthrew him in a coup. Bokassa fled to Ivory Coast, where he was eventually extradited back to the CAR to face trial for his crimes. He was convicted of murder and cannibalism and was sentenced to death, which was later commuted to life imprisonment.
Legacy:
Bokassa's regime had a profound and lasting impact on the Central African Republic. His brutal and authoritarian rule left the country in a state of political, economic, and social turmoil that continues to this day. The country has experienced numerous coups
Bokassa,s crimes
Jean-Bedel Bokassa's crimes were numerous and brutal, and he was responsible for widespread human rights abuses during his time in power. Some of his most egregious crimes include:
1-Massacre of Schoolchildren: In 1979, Bokassa’s troops opened fire on a group of schoolchildren who were protesting against his regime. It is estimated that up to 100 children were killed in the massacre.
2-Cannibalism: There have been numerous allegations that Bokassa practiced cannibalism, including claims that he ate the flesh of some of his victims. While these claims have not been substantiated, they have added to his reputation as a particularly brutal dictator.
3-Political Repression: Bokassa banned all political parties and imposed strict censorship laws to control the media. He also maintained a private army of over 2,000 soldiers who were used to enforce his rule and to suppress any opposition.
4-Corruption: Bokassa was notorious for his corruption, and he embezzled large sums of money from the country’s treasury. He also established a monopoly over the diamond trade, which allowed him to accumulate enormous wealth at the expense of the country’s development.
5-Human Rights Abuses: Bokassa’s regime was marked by extreme violence and human rights abuses. He ordered the execution of suspected opponents, including schoolchildren who had protested against his rule. In addition, his private army was responsible for torture, rape, and extrajudicial killings.
Overall, Bokassa's crimes were numerous and heinous, and his brutal and authoritarian rule left a lasting impact on the Central African Republic.
