Mahmood Mamdani's Uganda

"A veteran with the Free French Forces during the liberation of France from German occupation in 1945, Bokassa returned home to his native Central Africa shortly afterward and rose with irresistible swiftness after it achieved independence in 1960. By 1964, he was the commander in chief of his country's 500-man army and its first colonel. Two years later, he overthrew the Central African Republic's civilian president and embarked on a long period of erratic and power-hungry rule."

"France, in turn, helped underwrite Bokassa's lavish coronation as the newly minted emperor of a poor country. It was reputed to cost a third of the national budget, and French artists and jewelers helped with designs for the ceremony and regalia, said to be modeled after Napoleon's. The French Navy orchestra even helped support the band that played at the crowning."

"Throughout this rise, Bokassa's superpower had been knowing how to ingratiate himself with the French. He granted France-as well as the United States, the Netherlands, and Israel-control of Central Africa's diamond trade. He also hosted private game-hunting outings with France's then-president, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. In fact, their relations became so close that Giscard d'Estaing called Bokassa "a friend and family member.""

Jean-Bédel Bokassa advanced from a sergeant major in France's African colonial army and a Free French veteran to the Central African Republic's military leader after independence. By 1964 he commanded a 500-man army and became the nation's first colonel. In 1966 he overthrew the civilian president and initiated erratic, power-hungry rule that culminated in proclaiming himself president for life and in 1977 declaring the Central African Empire with himself as emperor. Bokassa cultivated close ties with France, granting foreign control over diamond exports and hosting President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. France helped fund and supply artists, jewelers, and musicians for a costly coronation. Violent suppression of student riots and Bokassa's overtures to new allies weakened French support.

Read at The Nation