Chad’s former leader Hissene Habre will make history on Monday when he is tried in Senegal over his regime’s brutality – the first time a despot from one African country has been called to account by another. Once dubbed “Africa’s Pinochet”, the 72-year-old has been in custody in Senegal since his arrest in June 2013 at the home he shared with his wife and children.
Rights groups say 40 000 people were killed during his eight years in power under a regime marked by fierce repression of his opponents and the targeting of rival ethnic groups.
Habre, who held power between 1982 and 1990, is charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture.
Delayed for years by Senegal, where Habre has lived since being ousted in 1990, the hearings will set a historic precedent as until now African leaders accused of atrocities have been tried in international courts.
