The Central African Empire (CAE) was the name of the short-lived, self-declared autocratic monarchy that replaced the Central African Republic (CAR) on 04 December 1976. The CAE was formed when Jean-Bédel Bokassa, President of the CAR declared himself Emperor Bokassa I at a coronation ceremony which is estimated to have cost US$20 million, roughly a quarter of the country's annual income. Although it was claimed that the new empire would be a constitutional monarchy, no significant democratic reforms were made and suppression of dissenters remained widespread.
The monarchy was abolished and the name "Central African Republic" was restored on 21 September 1979 (Source: Wikipedia).
There was no change to the national flag of the country during this
period and the flag adopted on 01 December 1958 remained in use.
Bruce Berry, 12 May 2010
Imperial Flag
image by Ivan Sarajcic, 08 Dec 1995
Stuart Notholt, 08 Dec1995
As hinted by Whitney Smith [smi1982], it seems that Bokassa took
the eagle emblem in reference to the eagle used by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who seems have been his "idol".
Željko Heimer, 12 May 1999
Image sent by Vanja Poposki, 24 March 2012
A photograph of the royal banner of the Emperor Bokassa I shows the green to be
darker than that which is illustrated above.
Vanja Poposki, 24 March 2012
Image
sent by Vanja Poposki, 24 Mar 2012
The royal family banner of the Emperor Bokassa has gold letter "B" within a blue
garland.
Vanja Poposki, 24 Mar 2012
Coat of Arms
Image by Juan Fandos-Rius, 30 Aug 2016
The Coat of Arms of the Central African Empire were adapted from those of the
Central African Republic to reflect the political changes
and were designed by Juan Fandos-Rius (see further details
here).
Juan Fandos-Rius, 30 Aug 2016