Zimpapers Logo

Hissene Habre

A special court in Senegal has sentenced former Chadian military ruler Hissene Habre to life in prison after convicting him of war crimes, crimes against humanity, rape and torture. The verdict on Monday caps a 16-year battle by victims and rights campaigners to bring the former strongman to justice in Senegal, where he fled after being toppled in a 1990 coup in the central African nation.

Human rights groups accuse the 72-year-old of being responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people during his rule from 1982 to 1990.

Habre’s case was heard by the Extraordinary African Chambers in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, a special criminal court set up by the African Union within the West African nation’s court system.

Reed Brody, a lawyer for Human Rights Watch who has spent the last 15 years working with victims to bring Habre to justice, said the landmark case could encourage others to bring similar action.

“The trial of Hissene Habre shows that it’s possible for victims, with tenacity and perseverance, to bring their dictator to court,” Reed told the AFP news agency on Sunday.

“We hope that other survivors, other activists will be inspired by what Habre’s victims have been able to do.”

Habre refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the court and had to be physically dragged into the courtroom in July.

The former head of state did not stand up or respond when called on by the judge.

After living in exile in Senegal for 22 years, Habre was detained in Dakar in July 2013, less than 72 hours after US President Barack Obama expressed his support for a trial during a visit to Senegal. — AFP