Political intrigues in Central African Republic and the HIDDEN HANDS that pull the strings: X-ray of political manoeuvres in Central African Republic that has wrecked the African country

Jean-Bédel Bokassa at his lavish coronation amidst poverty and hardship in Central African Republic

•       Unending French interference in the country
•       Black African greed and corruption

As violence continues to rage in Central Africa Republic (CAR) The Biafran decides to shed some lights in the unending crisis that has engulfed and impoverished what would have been one of Africa’s richest countries.

Ever since her independence from France in 1960, Central African Republic, formerly known as the Ubangi- Shari (Oubangui-Chari) under French colonial administration, has been a theatre of violence. With a relatively small population of about 4.3 million and huge mineral and natural resources such as diamond, uranium crude oil, gold, arable land and timber, the country and its inhabitants would have been among the richest in the continent. Unfortunately,
due to greed of its leaders and western manipulation, the Central African Republic has been rated the 6^th poorest country in the world.

The Beginning - Barthélémy Boganda

Central African Republic’s sojourn into political instability could be traced to as far back as the early 40’s when the nationalist movement for independence, Socialist Evolution Movement of Black Africa (Mouvement d'Evolution Sociale en Afrique Noire, MESAN), led by, Barthélémy Boganda, became a big torn in the flesh of the French Colonialists. Boganda, who later became the first prime minister, incurred the wraths of French businessmen in CAR, when he successfully launched the campaign that led to the abolition of forced labour in the country in 1946. This abolishment led to the rise of Black Nationalism in Central African Republic, which undermined and angered the Bangui Chamber of Commerce that was controlled by French companies. Boganda was perceived by the French businessmen, who were enriching themselves from the countries resources as a dangerous revolutionary ‘demagogue’ and a serious threat to their "free enterprise."

By 1958, when Ubangi-Shari won autonomy within the French Community, and transformed to the Central African Republic (CAR), it was clear that the country was going the prosper under the visionary and charismatic  leadership of Barthélémy Boganda, who was a former catholic priest. The prospects of this ruffled a lot of feathers in French quarters.  

Boganda became the country's prime minister until 1959 when the national constitution was ratified, subsequently transforming to the president of CAR. As it became obvious that Boganda's leadership in the independent Central African Republic would undermine French interests in the country, plans were made to get rid of him.

On 29 March 1959, a plane from Berbérati to Bangui, carrying Boganda, exploded in midair 160 kilometres, west of Bangui over Boukpayanga, killing all passengers and crew. His death just before the independence of the country ended the vision of transforming the CAR into a self sufficient and rich African country. Boganda’s death was confirmed as an assassination as traces of explosives were found on the plane. The French secret service, expatriate member of the Bangui Chamber of Commerce, and Boganda’s wife, Michelle Jourdain, who took out a huge insurance policy on the life of Boganda  few days before his death were fingered as those behind the assassination. It is believed in some quarters that the French wife was probably used to plant the explosive, and was compensated with the insurance payout she received.

The political intrigues that emerged after Boganda’s death sealed the country’s fate, launching it into the several political crises it has continued to witness. Through the aid of the French High Commissioner in CAR, Boganda's cousin, David Dacko, outmaneuvered Abel Goumba, the vice premier and finance minister, who constitutionally,  should have succeeded Boganda. However, due to Goumba’s perceived strong nationalistic disposition, his intelligence and honesty, the French did not find a willing tool in him, instead they chose David Dacko, the interior minister, who was favourably disposed to the French interest in the country. Dacko was actively supported by the high commissioner, Colonel Roger Barberot, the chamber of commerce and Boganda’s wife, Michelle Jourdain. The emergence of Dacko, was in line with French economic domination policy to make sure that compliant leaders took the helm of power in all her former colonies.

Dacko enjoyed the support and backing of the French government who benefited from the increased diamond production in the country under his regime, until he started dabbling with the Chinese. His closeness with the Chinese leader Chaiman Mao Zedong became apparent after a high level delegation of the Peoples Republic of China visited CAR. After which an interest free loan one billion CFA francs was made available to the Dacko’s regime.

Emperor Jean-Bédel Bokassa- The Madman on the throne

On 31 December 1965, David Dacko was overthrown by Jean-Bédel Bokassa who had strong ties with the French. Bokassa’s regime spanned from 1965 – 1979. Bokassa’s regime was about the worst in the country marked by unprecedented brutality. His legacies were, the selling of the country's mineral rights, personal enrichment, making the country an empire and subsequently becoming a self-imposed emperor, killing of opposition including about a hundred elementary school children, who refused to wear a uniform produced by his company, which he imposed on them, wasting about £10 million, which was valued to be more than the annual national budget of the country on his imperial coronation ceremony. The coronoation had the support of the French, who sent a battalion to secure the ceremony, lent 17 aircraft to the new Central African Empire's government, and assigned French Navy personnel to support the orchestra at the ceremony.

Jean-Bédel Bokassa on his golden throne at his lavish coronation amidst poverty and hardship in Central African Republic

Operation Barracudabegan: French military coup

France’s military force has on several occasions directly removed many African leaders who fell out with them from office and installed a puppet. The overthrow of Bokassa was among the most prominent ones. In late 70’s when Bokassa’s relationship with the French waned, he was promptly removed from office by French Commandos on the evening of 20 September 1979, in a military operation code named Operation Barracudabegan, led by French Special Forces. David Dacko who had reached some agreement with the French was brought into office once again. Dacko’s. second reign in office was short-lived as he was once again removed from office in 1981 by André-Dieudonné Kolingba, who was also backed by French military officers. Under his reign that lasted for another twelve years, the influence of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in decisions and management of the Central African Republic grew, until he was replaced in an election by another French stooge Ange-Félix Patassé, who had worked for all the previous governments, including the infamous and brutal Bokassa’s regime that plunged the country into economic devastation.

Rudderless ship

From the foregoing it is glaring that the country has been foist with corrupt, greedy, selfish and visionless, who had no plans for their fellow citizens, with the connivance of the French. François Bozizé was forced to abandon his office after a protracted battle between his army and that of Michel Djotodia. Bozizé's rule of the CAR was precarious after he toppled his predecessor, Ange-Félix Patassé, in a coup in 2003. The eventual ouster of Francoise Bozize by the Seleka rebels led by Michael Djotodia, had been alledged to be tacitly supported by the French, who had been weary of Bozize’s closeness with the South African government and businessmen, who are threatening their interest in the country. As the security situation in the CAR deteriorated in in CAR,  a South African businessman, Didier Pereira brokered direct access to Zuma for Bozizé's son and CAR defence minister, Francis Bozizé, in a bid to "unlock a sensitive weapons delivery issue", the specialist publication Intelligence Online reported.

The subsequent removal of Djotodia, who was trained in Russia indicates that he was probably not dancing to the expected tune and there was the need to replace him in order to foist another French puppet on the Central African Republic at the detriment of the people who bear all the brunt.

These have been the modus operandi of France across Africa ever since it reluctantly granted independence to most African States. Most French Speaking countries have had leaders who have stayed in powers for years or replaced by families or close allies. (Cameroon, Gabon, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, etc)