The Trial of Hissène Habré: How the People of Chad Brought a Tyrant to Justice

by Celeste Hicks, Alcinda Honwana (Series Editor), Alex de Waal (Series Editor)

When Hissène Habré, the deposed dictator of Chad, was found guilty of crimes against humanity in 2016, it was described as 'a watershed for human rights justice in Africa and beyond'. For the first time, an African war criminal had been convicted on African soil.

Having followed the trial from the very beginning and interviewed many of those involved, journalist Celeste Hicks tells the remarkable story of how Habré was brought to justice. His conviction followed a heroic 25 year campaign by activists and survivors of Habré's atrocities, which succeeded despite international indifference, opposition from Habré's allies, and several failed attempts to bring him to trial in Europe and elsewhere. In the face of such overwhelming odds, the conviction of a once untouchable tyrant represents a major turning point, with profound implications for African justice and the future of human rights activism globally.

Genres: Africa, Nonfiction, Chad, History

232 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2018

Reviews

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, this is a 3 and a half star read. Written by a journalist with extensive knowledge and experience of Chad, the book recounts the landmark trial of former Chadian President Hissene Habre before a special court created by the African Union, the Extraordinary African Chambers. It offers a good overview of the dynamics which led to the creation of the court and of the trial process itself. It is written in a very engaging and clear manner, making it accessible even to readers who are not particularly well-versed in the world of international criminal justice. But it does make for a harrowing read sometimes. For me personally, the book lacked some analytical depth in the last part of the book - the last chapter of the book rushed over a topic that is immensely more complex than is reflected in the book – but I understand that this may have been necessary in order to keep the book accessible for a wider audience.

What I particularly appreciated was the emphasis placed on the role of Chadian victims and civil society organisations in the decades-long struggle which led to Habre’s trial and conviction. So often, the fight against impunity is portrayed as led by Western lawyers, human rights organisations and activists so it is great that for once the light is shone on the people who actually stand at the heart of these struggles: the victims and those within Chad who, sometimes at risk of their own security and health, fought for years to collect evidence about the crimes committed during Habre’s rule and to demand justice. This book is a true testimony to their strength and valor.

[Susannah]

Written in a clear and engaging manner, all the better for me who knew nothing about the subject before attacking this. I did have to refer to the index often for all those acronyms! An interesting read about an intriguing proud African alpha male, a rotten one at that.
I'd love to know whether he knew his arrest was imminent and whether had he known whether he would have tried to do another runner. I was surprised at how much support he seemed to have on his first days in court, but of course, extended family and others with their own agenda have a veneer to maintain.
I was heartened to hear that the EAC did a good job, within budget and on time. They delivered and that is very important. Also, they did a great job with outreach, taking a bus out to many different villages in Chad for discussion, showing some of the court video recordings and generally reaching out. Brilliant.
I wonder whether HH is still looking good in his white boubou or whether a little more dishevelled - and what he really feels and thinks about his role in all of that, for the moment we will never know.

[Geert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Belangrijk dat dergelijke boeken geschreven worden en het verhaal vertellen van slachtoffers van misdaden tegen de mensheid. zeker uit landen die niet vaak het wereldnieuws halen zoals Tsjaad. Auteur Steve Coll had dit boek aangeraden in een tweet. Mijn verwachting waren hoog gespannen. Het boek bleef helaas wat onder de (waarschijnlijk onrealistisch hoge) verwachtingen. Ik had meer de ‘inside story’ verwacht van de slachtoffers, maar het boek ging eerder over het proces van Habré zelf. Hoewel Hicks het drama van het proces goed vat, konden de bespiegelingen over hybride rechtbanken
me minder boeien (maar dit is misschien wel interessant voor iemand die het onderwerp volgt).

[David Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tyrants can commit human rights abuses and sexual violence with impunity. But, some people are bringing such tyrants to justice. How are they doing it? Drawing from her book, The Trial of Hissene Habré: How the People of Chad brought a tyrant to justice, Celeste Hicks highlights what countries like the Gambia can learn from the trial of Hissene Habré."

from "Democray in Africa" review of the book: https://democracyinafrica.org/trial-h...

Read in N'Djamena, Chad, Central Africa (March-April 2025)

[Ben Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well put together book that covers an important international criminal trial and also puts it in context of what was happening in Chad and what has happened (or not happened) in connection with other war crimes and potential war crimes in other places.

I read this book as my "Chad" pick in a reading the world challenge and otherwise I might have missed it but I am very glad that I read this as it was fascinating and informative.

[Shane W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much been going on in my life lately that due to dozens of interruptions and pauses, it's actually hard to judge this book. It's very detailed, but readable and highly interesting for those who are into studying this part of the world. I'm very eager to continue on reading books published in African Agreement series.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is primarily a play by play of the trial, which got exhausting. I would have liked more length spent on context instead, but I guess you know what you're getting into with the title. An important book, but a slog for me.

[David Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's not much I can recommend on Chad that has been written in English. Celeste Hicks' book is a notable exception. I'm pleased that a French-language version is in the works.