1979 Ngaragba Prison massacre

[1][2] Described as one of Africa's most brutal dictators,[3] Bokassa came to power after a coup in 1965 and ruled as an authoritarian leader.

[2] In mid-April 1979, a group of plainclothes police officers attempted to infiltrate a students' meeting.

[4] It has been suggested that this incident triggered the mass arrests of students who were suspected of participating in the protests.

[4] After the massacre, Bokassa was condemned by foreign governments and international organizations cut off aid.

[1] On September 20, 1979, French special forces overthrew Bokassa in a military coup, ending his 13-year rule.