How to Pronounce Hissène Habré

Meaning and Context

Hissène Habré, who served as the President of Chad from 1982 until his overthrow in 1990, remains a defining and dark figure in modern African history. His regime, marked by extreme political repression and systematic violence, was characterized by the activities of his notorious Documentation and Security Directorate (DDS), a secret police force responsible for widespread torture, arbitrary detention, and extrajudicial killings. The international community and human rights organizations documented these atrocities for years, culminating in a landmark legal pursuit. In an unprecedented move for African justice, Habré was tried not by an international tribunal but by the Extraordinary African Chambers, a special court established by the African Union in Senegal. His historic conviction in 2016 for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and torture—including sexual violence—made him the first former head of state to be found guilty of such crimes in the courts of another nation, setting a powerful precedent for universal jurisdiction and accountability on the continent.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling of the name is Hissène Habré. Common errors arise from the diacritical marks and the order of the letters. Frequent misspellings include omitting the grave accent on the first 'e' in "Hissène," resulting in "Hissene Habré" or "Hissein Habre." The surname is often misspelled as "Habre" (without the acute accent) or incorrectly written with an accent only on the first letter, as in "Hábré." Another common typo is transposing the 's' and 'c' in the first name, leading to "Hicène" or "Hissené." In some historical documents or non-specialist reporting, one might encounter the anglicized and simplified version "Hissene Habre," which, while recognizable, is not the accurate rendering of his name. It is also important to note the correct order: Hissène is his given name and Habré is his family name.

Example Sentences

The conviction of Hissène Habré in 2016 was hailed as a watershed moment for human rights in Africa.

Historians often cite the brutal efficiency of Hissène Habré's security apparatus, the DDS, as a primary instrument of state terror during his eight-year rule.

Despite fleeing to Senegal after his 1990 ouster, Hissène Habré could not ultimately escape accountability for the atrocities committed under his presidency.

The long campaign for justice for Habré's victims, led by courageous activists and international lawyers, demonstrated the persistent power of grassroots advocacy.

In legal circles, the Habré case is frequently studied as a pioneering example of a hybrid tribunal successfully prosecuting a former head of state.

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