Faizel Patel, 2016-05-30

Human Rights Watch says there was overwhelming evidence against former Chadian military ruler Hiessene Habre and welcomed the verdict by Extraordinary African Chambers in Dakar, Senegal.

The special court set up by the African Union within the West African nation’s court system sentenced Habre to life in prison after convicting him of crimes against humanity, torture and sexual slavery.

Habre raised his arms into the air on hearing the verdict, shouting “Down with France-afrique!” referring to the term used for France’s continuing influence on its former colonies.

Human rights groups accuse the 72-year-old of being responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people during his rule from 1982 to 1990.

The verdict today caps a 16-year battle by victims and rights campaigners to bring the former leader to justice in Senegal, where he fled after being toppled in a 1990 coup in the central African nation.

Human Rights Watch Andrew Stroehlein told Radio Islam many were expecting the guilty verdict.

“The elation, the joy in the courtroom when the final verdict was announced was just overwhelming with shouting and whooping by the victims who had really pursued Hissene Habre for 26 years or more finally had their day of justice.”

After living in exile in Senegal for 22 years, Habre was arrested in Dakar in July 2013, less than 72 hours after US President Barack Obama expressed his support for a trial during a visit to Senegal.

Habre has 15 days to appeal against his conviction.

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