AU, Senegal sign agreement for prosecution of ex-Chadian president

The Senegalese government and the African Union (AU) have signed an agreement for the prosecution of Chad’s ex-president Hissene Habre who has been in exile in the Senegalese capital since the fall of his regime, an official source has said.The agreement which was signed in Dakar on Wednesday, provides for the creation of a special African division within the Senegalese judiciary, to handle international crimes like those that were committed in Chad under Habre’s regime between 1982 to 1990. After the signing of the agreement, the Senegalese Justice Minister Aminata Toure said there “were no more obstacles” for the kick-off of the prosecution and that the recruitment of the judges will begin soon.In July, Senegal accepted a request from the AU to prosecute Habre in Dakar, before a special court within the Senegalese judicial system. The country also agreed that the special court will be presided over by African judges appointed by AU.The ex-Chadian president, aged 70, is accused of committing crimes against humanity. Various Chadian groups have indicated that during his regime, 40,000 people were killed. A budget of about 15 million U.S. dollars has been drawn up but according to the Senegalese justice minister, the hearing of the case will begin with the available resources as the country awaits the contribution of the international community.