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July 20, 2015

Former Chad Dictator, Called "Africa's Pinochet," on Trial in Senegal 
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In news from Africa, the trial of the former dictator of Chad has begun
in Senegal. Hissène Habré is a former U.S. ally who has been described
as "Africa's Pinochet." He is accused of killing as many as 40,000
people during his eight years in power in the 1980s. Habré is being
tried in a special court established after a two-decade-long campaign
led by his victims. Attorney Reed Brody of Human Rights Watch, who has
worked with victims of Habré's regime since 1999, praised the start of
the trial.

Reed Brody: "This is a chance to show that an African court can deliver
justice for African victims for crimes committed in Africa. I mean, it's
one thing to complain about having abusive African presidents and
leaders sent to The Hague; it's another thing to show that they can be
prosecuted and get a fair trial here in Africa."

 

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