Former victims react to death of former Chadian dictator Habre

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This week in Africa Weekly, Chad's military has declared victory over FACT, the rebel group blamed for killing ex-leader Idriss Deby. The International Criminal Court has sentenced Ugandan warlord Dominic Ongwen to 25 years' imprisonment for war crimes as a key commander of brutal group the Lord's Resistance Army. In Egypt, Muslims celebrate Eid with more ceremony than last year, when Covid-19 shut down festivities at the end of Ramadan. Finally, we explore the world of money changers in Djibouti, an unassuming group of women who keep the wheels of the economy turning.

Chadian soldiers were attacked while patrolling the volatile Lake Chad region. Both Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are active in the area.

The former president has died while serving a life term in prison for crimes against humanity. Local media reported that the 79-year-old died of coronavirus.

Former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre, who was serving a life term in Senegal for crimes against humanity, died from Covid-19 on Tuesday aged 79. Those who suffered under his rule expressed mixed feelings over his death.

Saadi Gadhafi, once a professional footballer, was cleared of killing a football coach in 2018 and reports say he has flown to Turkey. Libya is looking to hold elections in December.

Chad's interim parliament, built to prepare the country for civilian rule, has finally been announced after a five-month wait. But is the National Transition Council merely window dressing for the military junta?

According to the World Health Organization, access to healthcare in Chad is still at an embryonic stage. The country has limited data on cancer and no department dedicated to its care, meaning those who are diagnosed are often referred to hospitals abroad. But Jean-Bosco Ndihokubwayo, the WHO's representative to Chad, is optimistic about the country's political will to fight cancer, as authorities plans to build a national treatment centre.

Chad's transitional authorities on Tuesday (January 18) released the first of some 250 members of armed groups it has promised to free from prison under an amnesty aimed at fostering dialogue after the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby last April. Justice Minister Ahmat Mahamat Alhabo led a short ceremony at Klessoum prison near the capital N'Djamena, granting the immediate release of 22 detainees convicted of taking up arms against the central government in the past 10 years.

A former Guatemalan dictator has been found guilty of genocide and sentenced to 80 years in prison. The charges stem from the bloodiest period of the country's 36-year civil war.

Ferdinand Marcos Junior has emerged as the favourite to win the Philippines’ presidential election on May 9. His father, Ferdinand Marcos, ruled the country with an iron fist from 1965 to 1986 - imposing martial law, torturing and killing thousands of opponents, and plundering public coffers. The election could be a turning point for this country of 110 million people. If Marcos Junior wins, it will mark the full rehabilitation of a political dynasty, decades after its despotic reign ended.

Severe drought followed by the worst floods in 30 years have lead to rocketing food prices and left a record 2.1 million people in Chad acutely hungry, according to United Nations agencies.