- Senegalese Minister of Justice has swiftly reacted to the death sentence of the former Chadian dictator on war crime charges, arguing that Hissène Habré could not be tried twice for the same crimes.
Madické Niang told radio 'RFM' that Mr. Habré cannot be brought to justice in another jurisdiction to be tried on the same facts.
Puzzled by the Friday's sentencing of Habré, Mr. Niang, formerly the coordinator of the ousted dictator's trial, said he he had sought further information from Chadian judiciary about the ruling.
Since he was overthrown in 1990, the man who presided over a regime accused of gross violations of human rights, including torture and murder, had been living on exile in Senegal.
Two years ago, Senegal was mandated by the African Union to put Habré on trial.
The latest ruling came at a time Senegal is stepping up efforts to try Hissène Habré. This includes the lifting of last hurdle to the trial - amendment of a constitutional empowering Senegal to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity and torture committed in the past - and appointment of judges. Senegal has also allocated CFA 1 billion for the trial.
Mr. Habré's lawyer in Senegal did not take the Chad ruling with seriousness.
Hissène Habré and 11 leaders of eastern rebel group were sentenced to death in absentia.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.