Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 28 April 2017: The African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, has welcomed the outcome of the appeal case of the former Chadian President, Hissène Habré, filed at the African Extraordinary Chambers (AEC), in Dakar, Senegal. The final judgement upheld the life imprisonment sentence passed on Hissène Habré, following the initial judgement which was delivered on 30 May 2016.

Welcoming the outcome of the appeal case, Moussa Faki Mahamat said the judgment brings alive the AU’s determined fight against impunity and human rights violations across the continent, while promoting accountability. The Chairperson further welcomes the fair recalculation on the reparation for all the victims of the Hissène Habré crimes.

The trial of former President Hissène Habré started on 20 July 2015, following a 2006 Decision by the AU Heads of State and Government, to establish a Committee of Eminent African Jurists who recommended that the AEC try the case with the help of Senegal.

It is unprecedented that a former Head of State is tried by an African Court. The establishment and functioning of the AEC, as an AU mechanism, underpins the AU’s principle of African solutions to African problems.

The AEC is a special mechanism that was set up by the AU and the Republic of Senegal to try those most responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Chad under the leadership of Hissène Habré from 1982 to 1990.

The AU will continue to engage with various stakeholders on the establishment of a Trust Fund to execute the decision of the appellate judgement and the Assembly Decision on the Trust Fund.

The Chairperson reiterates the AU’s gratitude to President Macky Sall, the Government and people of the Republic of Senegal for hosting this unprecedented trial on behalf of Africa. He also commends all stakeholders who have assisted in one way or another in the implementation of that Summit Decision.

For further information contact

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dic@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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