Hamadou Tidiane Sy
10 April 2008
Dakar — The Senegalese parliament amended the country's constitution Wednesday in a bid to allow the trial of Hissène Habré, the former Chadian president, to take place in the country.
Mr Habré has been living in exile in Dakar since he left power, 18 years ago.
The clause which has been amended - article 9 - now adds an exception to the "non-retroactivity" principle in the Senegalese law. Previously no one could be condemned for any crime committed prior to the existence of the laws punishing his crime.
With the new amendment, this "non-retroactivity" principle shall apply to "crimes of genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity", exactly the type of crimes allegedly committed by Habré, according to his foes.
These crimes were officially inserted in the Senegalese penal code in February 2007, as part of the process to allow the trial to take place without having to set up a special court for the 66 year old former leader.
The constitutional amendment was another step forward.
For almost a decade the Habré case has been a lingering one and a real millstone round the neck of the Senegalese authorities.
Tuesday's vote has lifted the very last legal obstacle to a trial which now technically can take place in Senegal, where a few years ago the courts had already decided the country had no competence to judge the former Chadian president after he was formally indicted and temporarily detained.
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