David Dacko

Then in 1960, the Central African Republic gained independence from France.

David Dacko, who was also Bokassa's cousin, became the president.

Bokassa left the French army and joined the new Central African Armed Forces, and because he had so much military experience, he quickly became very important in the new army.

Eventually, he was made the commander-in-chief.

French intelligence launched Operation Caban, and French operatives moved to secure Bangui Airport first.

Then they started the larger military operation, Operation Barracuda.

French forces entered the country and Bokassa's old predecessor, David Dacko, remember, his cousin, was brought back.

By the twentieth and twenty-first of September, nineteen seventy-nine, Bokassa's empire had collapsed.