This is a landmark judgment as it is the first time that a former president has been convicted by a court backed by the African Union thus raising hope for a new dawn for justice, respect for the rule of law and an end to impunity in Africa. It is also the first time in Africa that a former head of state of one country has been prosecuted by another country for human rights violations.
This decision came as a relief to many victims and a victory for human rights groups who have fought for justice for decades. Hissène Habré was accused of being responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people during his rule from 1982 to 1990.
Reed Brody, a lawyer for Human Rights Watch who has worked with the victims for the last 15 years to bring the former Chadian ruler to justice remarked that:
“Habre’s conviction for these horrific crimes after 25 years is a huge victory for his Chadian victims, without whose tenacity this trial never would have happened. This verdict sends a powerful message that the days when tyrants could brutalize their people, pillage their treasury and escape abroad to a life of luxury are coming to an end. Today will be carved into history as the day that a band of unrelenting survivors brought their dictator to justice.”
Habré has been given 15 days to appeal the sentence.