b97_0126 - 500 Francs type 2002M CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC 2003 A.201Ma

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

In 1965, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa seized power. He repeals the Constitution and declares himself president-marshal for life. On December 4, 1976, the extraordinary congress of the “renovated MESAN” proclaimed the Central African Empire. Marshal Bokassa becomes Emperor Bokassa I. He was crowned on December 4, 1977 with the help of France and he organized his “Napoleonic coronation”, filmed by TVs around the world. Under his regime, freedom of expression is suppressed and opponents are tried by military tribunals and, for the most part, sentenced to death..