End of impunity – Precedent to be set as former Chad President Habré to be tried in Senegal

The African Union had mandated Senegal to try Mr Habré in July 2006, but the country stalled the process for years under former President Abdoulaye Wade.

His successor, Macky Sall, who took up office in April 2012, ruled out extraditing Habré to Belgium, which was prepared to try him, and vowed to organize a trial in Senegal.

“After 22 years of tenacity and perseverance, Hissène Habré’s victims will finally get their day in court,” said a legal counsel for Human Rights Watch, who has worked with Mr Habré’s victims since 1999.

“Senegal and the African Union are sending a powerful message to leaders in Africa and elsewhere that if they commit atrocious crimes against their own people, they could also be brought to justice one day.”

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