Thirty years ago, on Saturday, December 1, 1990, Idriss Déby seized power in Chad after his predecessor, Hissène Habré, was expelled from the patriotic salvation movement. We then discovered the atrocities of the Habré regime, which lasted for almost eight years: about 40,000 dead, according to a commission of inquiry led by the new authorities. At that time, many prisoners also regained their freedom. RFI met some of these prisoners who were released from Hissène Habré prisons.
as reported from N’Djaména, Madjiasra Nako
During the last week of November 1990, the mood suddenly changed in “Locaux”, the deadliest prison inHissène Habré. MahamatMoussa was 21 years old. Imprisoned for two years, he was responsible for the prisoner’s kitchen. He remembers the last few days: “Since Monday we had no more food. From Tuesday to Friday, the guards left for prayer at 13.00. And they’re gone for good. “
► To read also: To read also: On December 1, 1990, Idriss Déby takes power in Chad
The prison guards who left for Friday prayers will not return. Meanwhile, one of the guards, who is responsible for letting the prisoners die, tries to ease his conscience by entrusting prisoner Fatimé Hachim. This one remembers:
“There was a soldier named Mahamath. He explained to me that they had been ordered to kill all the prisoners. But he could not. He said to me, “I’ll take you out of the night.” “When darkness came, the guard fired four times with his pistol: it was the coded signal for the prisoners to flee. The prison guard had left them a way out.
Fatimé Hachim will be assisted by the rare prisoners who still had strength after a five-day diet. They are the ones who will open the first cells that will deliver horror from eight years of rule.
► Read also: Senegal: the victims of Hissène Habré have still not received compensation
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