The former U.S.-backed dictator of Chad has been detained in Senegal and could face charges of crimes against humanity more than 20 years after his ouster in a military coup. Hissène Habré ruled Chad from 1982 to 1990 before fleeing to Senegal. He has been accused of overseeing the torture and slaughter of tens of thousands of people from rival ethnic groups. Habré’s trial would mark the first time an African leader has faced trial for human rights violations in another African country. A coordinator for the legal team representing his alleged victims spoke on Monday.
2013