Former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre has been sentenced
to life in prison for crimes against humanity.
The court in
Senegal found Habre guilty of crimes against humanity, rape, forced
slavery and kidnapping as well as ordering the killings of 40,000 people
during his rule between 1982 and 1990. Habre had denied the accusations
and refused to recognize the legitimacy of the court.
Senegal found Habre guilty of crimes against humanity, rape, forced
slavery and kidnapping as well as ordering the killings of 40,000 people
during his rule between 1982 and 1990. Habre had denied the accusations
and refused to recognize the legitimacy of the court.
The former President showed little emotion as he heard the verdict, with his face covered partly by a turban and sunglasses.
Mr Habre frequently disrupted proceedings during his trial. He
shouted abuse, called the process “a farce”, and had to be carried into
the court after refusing to appear.
In 2005, a court in Belgium issued a warrant for his arrest, claiming
universal jurisdiction but, after Senegal referred the issue to the
African Union, the AU asked Senegal to try Mr Habre “on behalf of
Africa”
In 2013, a court in Chad sentenced him to death in absentia for
crimes against humanity.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has welcomed the
conviction of former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre for war crimes and
crimes against humanity.