Habré

Hissène Habré (1942–2021) was a Chadian politician who served as the President of Chad from 1982 to 1990. He came to power in a military coup against President Goukouni Weddeye, with support from Libyan and other foreign backers, and established an authoritarian regime characterized by centralized power and political repression.

Early life and rise to power: Habré was born in 1942 in Chad and joined the Chadian armed forces before rising to prominence during the early 1980s. With Libyan assistance, he led a faction that challenged existing authorities and ultimately overthrew the government, taking the presidency in 1982. His rule relied on security services and irregular forces to suppress dissent and maintain control, while Chad’s political landscape remained volatile.

Rule and human rights abuses: During his presidency, opposition voices were systematically silenced, and thousands of people were subjected to torture, extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and other human rights abuses. The regime pursued a campaign against perceived opponents and certain ethnic and regional groups, creating a climate of fear and repression.

Post-presidency and accountability: Habré was ousted in 1990 by Idriss Déby and went into exile in Senegal. In 2013, he was brought to trial before the Extraordinary African Chambers in Senegal, established to prosecute crimes against humanity committed in Chad. In 2016, he was convicted of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and torture and sentenced to life imprisonment. His case became a landmark in Africa for transitional justice and accountability for former heads of state. Habré died in 2021 while in custody in Senegal.