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