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End of impunity – Precedent to be set as former Chad President Habré to be tried in Senegal
Hissène Habré
A special African court set up to try former Chadian President Hissène Habré for war crimes and crimes against humanity has officially began its work on Friday in Senegal.
The trial against Habré, delayed for years by Senegal where he has lived since being ousted in 1990, will set a historic precedent as until now, African leaders accused of atrocities have only been tried in international courts.
“The main goal of this ceremony is to announce to the world the effective start of work,” said Magistrate Cire Aly Ba, administrator of the court.
The ceremony was attended by Senegalese authorities and African Union representatives, rights campaigners and victims of Mr Habré’s regime.
The court will comprise four special chambers chaired by Senegalese and other African judges appointed by the African Union.
Mr Habré is accused of crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture during his eight years in power in Chad, where rights groups report that some 40,000 people were killed under his rule.
The Senegalese Government and the African Union signed an agreement to set up the court, which was ratified by Senegalese lawmakers on December 19.
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.”