The Overthrow of Bokassa

On 20 September 1979 the Central African dictator Jean Bedel-Bokassa was driven from power by French troops. He had styled himself as an 'Emperor' but his brutality and excess became legendary and he had to flee into exile. Goodwin Cooke was the US ambassador in Central Africa during his reign.

(Photo: Jean Bedel-Bokassa with his throne. Credit: Getty Images)