The Extraordinary African Chambers operated from February 8, 2013 – April 27, 2017.

Founding Documents

• On August 22, 2012, the Establishment of the Extraordinary African Chambers within the Senegalese courts agreement was signed between the African Union and the Government of the Republic of Senegal.
• The Statute of the Extraordinary African Chambers is annexed to the Agreement between the AU and Senegal, and defines the rules and composition of the EAC. It also cites Senegalese Law that applies in cases not provided for by the Statute. (English version can be found here).
• Senegalese Law refers to the Senegalese Code of Criminal Procedure and all international conventions ratified by Senegal.

Jurisdiction

The EAC was established to try the “person or persons” most responsible for international crimes committed in Chad from June 7, 1982 to December 1, 1990, the regime of Hissène Habré. International crimes included torture, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Habré’s trial began on July 20, 2015.

Habré’s trial was the first time the principle of universal jurisdiction, which permits countries to try grave crimes regardless of where the crimes were committed, led to a case proceeding to trial in Africa. It was also the first time a former ruler was prosecuted in the courts of another country for international crimes.

Status of Cases

The Habré judgment was pronounced on May 30, 2016, and the former dictator was found guilty of:

• Crimes against humanity of rape, sexual slavery, murder, summary execution and inhuman acts
• Torture
• War crimes of murder, torture, inhumane treatment, unlawful detention and cruel treatment

The judgement was upheld by the Appeals Chamber of the EAC on April 27, 2017, officially concluding the trial.

Literature Review

Structure