Chad's ex-ruler Hissene Habre convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life in prison

Chad's ex-ruler Hissene Habre has been convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life in prison at a landmark trial in Senegal. 

The judge convicted him of rape, sexual slavery and ordering killings during his rule from 1982 to 1990.

Victims and families of those killed cheered and embraced each other in the courtroom after the verdict was given.

It was the first time an African Union-backed court had tried a former ruler for human rights abuses.

Hissene Habre, who received strong backing from the US while in power, has been given 15 days to appeal.

His critics dubbed him "Africa's Pinochet" because of the atrocities committed during his rule.


Survivors had recounted gruesome details of the torture carried out by Habre's feared secret police.

Survivors from the Habre era welcomed the verdict.
"This is a historic day for Chad and for Africa. It is the first time that an African head of state has been found guilty in another African country," Yamasoum Konar, a representative of one of the victims' groups, told

Who is Hissene Habre?

Born in 1942 to ethnic Toubou herders in northern Chad

• Given scholarship to study political science in France
• First came to the world's attention in 1974 when his rebels captured three European hostages to ransom for money and arms

• Seized power in 1982 allegedly with the help of the CIA

• Ousted by current President Idriss Deby in 1990

• Accused of systematically persecuting groups he distrusted