More than 40 000 people were tortured and killed during Habre’s eight years in power that ended in 1990.

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The judge at the African Union constituted court in Dakar convicted Hissen Habre of rape, sexual slavery and ordering killings.

Victims and families of those killed cheered and embraced each other in the courtroom after the verdict was given.

It’s the first time an AU-backed court’s tried a former ruler for human rights abuses.

Habre’s been given 15 days to appeal.

Human Rights Watch’s Reed Brody, who’s worked on the case for 17 years says today will be carved into history as the day that a band of unrelenting survivors brought their dictator to justice.

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