Lawyers for the former president of Chad, Hissene Habre, who was succeeded by Idriss Deby are due to launch an appeal against his life sentence for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during his rule in the 1980s.
It remains unclear if Hissene Habre, who ruled Chad from 1982-1990 would be compelled to appear in person at the special court in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, which he does not recognise.
According to Ceoafrica, his conviction last May was seen as a landmark prosecution against the impunity claimed by many of Africa's oppressive leaders. It's estimated up to 40,000 people in Chad were killed during Hissene Habre's presidency, with thousands more raped or tortured.
The hearing is expected to last several days and a definitive judgement on his conviction due in April.
On the 30th of May 2016, Hissene Habre was convicted of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and torture, including sexual violence and rape, by the Extraordinary African Chambers in the Senegalese court system and sentenced to life in prison.
