Page "History of the Central African Republic" Paragraph 5

On 1 January 1966, following a swift and almost bloodless coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa assumed power as president of the Republic.

Bokassa abolished the constitution of 1959, dissolved the National Assembly, and issued a decree that placed all legislative and executive powers in the hands of the president.

On 4 December 1976, the republic became a monarchy — the Central African Empire — with the promulgation of the imperial constitution and the proclamation of the president as Emperor Bokassa I.

His regime was characterized by numerous human rights atrocities.