House of Bokassa
| House of Bokassa | |
|---|---|
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| Country | Central African Empire |
| Titles | Emperor of Central Africa |
| Founded | Extant |
| Founder | Bokassa I |
| Final ruler | Bokassa I |
| Current head | Crown Prince Jean-Bédel Bokassa |
| Deposition | 21 September 1979 |
The House of Bokassa is a self-proclaimed African royal and imperial house. Its founder, Jean-Bédel Bokassa, ruled as self-crowned emperor over the territories of the Central African Empire from December 4, 1976 until September 21, 1979, when he was overthrown. His claim to an imperial title had little recognition in the international community.
The foundation of the House of Bokassa began in March 1972 when Jean-Bédel Bokassa proclaimed himself Marshal and President-For-Life of the Central African Republic. Public dissent continually grew over the next few years, surviving a coup attempt in December 1974 and narrowly escaped assassination in February 1976. International support was waning during this period as well, so in response Bokassa dissolved the republican government and established the Conseil de la Révolution Centrafricaine (Central African Revolutionary Council) in September 1976. On 4 December 1976, Bokassa instituted a new constitution, naming himself emperor of the Central African Empire and his son, Jean-Bédel Bokassa II, was declared crown prince and heir to the throne. The emperor's sixth wife (Bokassa maintained a harem of nineteen women despite converting to Catholicism), Catherine Denguiadé, became the Empress of Central Africa.
The ruling house was deposed along with Emperor Bokassa I when he was succeeded as head of state by David Dacko in 1979. Bokassa continued to consider himself the head of state in exile. Jean-Bédel Bokassa II is the current pretender to the Imperial Throne of Central Africa and the current head of the Imperial Family.
The Emperor was sentenced to death for murder in absentia. He later served a jail sentence in his home country, was pardoned and died of natural causes in 1996.
Neither the US nor any European country acknowledged or supported the newly founded monarchy, with the exception of France whose President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing held close ties to Bokassa. By 1979, France had withdrawn its support as well. Pope Paul VI refused to take part in the coronation ceremony.
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Wikipedia