Fifty-six days of interrogation, 93 witnesses, all before an unprecedented court created especially by the African Union … The trial of Hissène Habré was historic. Extra Extra African Chambers (ACE) has raised many hopes for autonomy for international justice on the African continent.
It was the first time an African head of state was convicted in a country other than his own. The extraordinary African chambers, specially created by the African Union and Senegal to try Hissène Habré’s crimes, symbolized the potential ability of the African continent to repair itself the atrocities committed on its land.
The international community, for fear that Chadian justice could not grant the former president a fair trial, has always opposed the extradition of Hissène Habré to his homeland. But on the other hand, despite the decision of the International Court of Justice, Senegalese justice declared itself incompetent to convict him, so it was necessary to invent a third way so that the trial could take place.
These ACEs then emerged as the rescue of the victims of dictatorships on the African continent, far from the so-rejected International Criminal Court, close families and plaintiffs.
It took a political change in Dakar and the election of Macky Sall for the steps to be taken, but the success is real. A controlled budget, -8.5 million euros-, and a verdict promptly announced. The only downside is that the approach frightens African heads of state and leaders of the African Union, who in the future have clearly stated that they do not want to risk going to such a court.
Hissène Habré’s Eventual Hearings During his trial before this exceptional jurisdiction, Hissène Habré and his lawyers made this court unparalleled one goal: the former president condemned an illegal legal structure. He chose obstacles and silence in his defense strategy and unleashed support movements on the streets of Dakar. He then refused to attend the hearings.
On September 7, 2015, he was forcibly brought into the room, fought and shouted the point “down with imperialism”. The images are strong, we see Habré in a turban and in a white boubou carried by 6 Senegalese police officers to the accused’s box.
During the rest of the trial, Hissène Habré remained silent, her mouth hidden by her turban and her eyes hidden behind dark glasses. A temporary suspension during an extraordinary trial, which ended with him being sentenced to life imprisonment in the first instance and on appeal.
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