US welcomes Senegal and AU trial on former Chad dictator

The United States commends the government of Senegal and the African Union for bringing former Chadian President Hissene Habre before the Extraordinary African Chambers of Senegal, State Department spokesman John Kirby said on Monday.
Following a 19-month investigation, Habre has been charged with torture, war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder and enforced disappearances.
“As a signal of our support for these proceedings, US Ambassador to Senegal James Zumwalt and Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues Steven Rapp attended the opening of the trial on Monday morning local time in Dakar,” Kirby said in a statement released by the department.
“This trial is an important step toward justice for the victims of atrocities committed under Habre’s rule from 1982 to 1990, and should serve as yet another warning that, no matter their position, perpetrators of atrocities will be held accountable,” Kirby said.
The United States supports a fair and impartial trial, and is committed to helping end impunity for the worst crimes known to humanity, he said.