Africa

Introduction

Introduction

A complex international legal battle has been fought for more than a decade about holding former Chadian President Hissène Habré, dubbed the "African Pinochet" by human rights organizations, accountable for international crimes. In the latest development, the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of Western African States ("ECOWAS Court") issued a decision in favor of Habré that might derail efforts to have Habré tried on behalf of the African Union ("AU") in Senegal, where he currently resides.

Introduction

Introduction

This Insight reports further efforts to suppress piracy off the coast of Somalia since Agora: Piracy Prosecutions—Countering Piracy off Somalia: International Law and International Institutions was prepared for the July 2010 issue of the American Journal of International Law.[1]

Introduction

I. Background

On August 9, 2010, Rwandans voted in national presidential elections. At the time of writing, the incumbent President Paul Kagame is an almost certain victor. International news coverage of the election has been consistent in its reference to a string of violent incidents and arrests, which many observers have sought to qualify as acts of intimidation directed against political opponents in the lead-up to the elections.[1]

Introduction

Introduction

The recent Supreme Court decision in Samantar v. Yousuf[1] definitively resolved one major question about the immunities of foreign government officials from civil suits in U.S. courts; at the same time, it left several others wide open. It thereby guaranteed that the source, scope, and certainty of such immunities will continue to be litigated energetically. This Insight explores some of the questions that will likely figure prominently in that litigation.

Introduction