The News Review:

- Belgium takes Senegal to world court in Chad case
- ICJ begins hearing injunction against Senegal
- Senegal unmoved by Diouf retirement
- World Bank Suggests Guidelines for Social Security Programs in Senegal
- Senegal marks 49th independence anniversary
- Court to rule on detention of Chad ex-leader

Belgium takes Senegal to world court in Chad case
The Associated Press
Belgium claims Senegal breached international law by failing to put former Chad President Hissene Habre on trial for alleged widespread human rights abuses during his eight-year reign. But Senegal rejected Belgium’s suit and insisted it is working to bring Habre to trial. “This hasty action can only hinder the efforts undertaken by Senegal for several years to fulfill its international obligations by ensuring.

ICJ begins hearing injunction against Senegal
Radio Netherlands
In 2006 the African Union ruled that Mr Habré should face trial but Senegal has not yet begun proceedings. Belgium has called on Senegal to either begin proceedings or extradite him to Brussels. In September the Senegalese authorities said the trial would only take place when sufficient funds have been raised. Dakar says it expects the trial to cost around 28 million euros.
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Senegal unmoved by Diouf retirement
AFP
The announcement failed to make the front pages of Senegal’s daily newspapers with former internationals dismissing it as “a non-event”. “Are we sure that’s it not a joke?” quipped Ndiawar Ndiaye formerly of Senegalese outfit ASC Thies possibly in reference to Diouf’s reversed decision to leave the national set-up two years ago. “The unfortunate consequence is that our developing team will not benefit from the experience of a few leaders like El Hadji Diouf” former Sport Minister Abdoulaye Makhtar Diop told AFP. “El Hadji Diouf has embodied the pride of the Senegalese even if the team has lost ground” said former Senegal international Yatma Diop.

World Bank Suggests Guidelines for Social Security Programs in Senegal
Voice of America
Del Ninno says that social safety net programs which include direct monetary transfers as well as public work programs food distribution programs and education or health subsidies for the poor are needed in every country to help reduce poverty and inequality. Del Ninno says each country must adapt its social safety nets to meet the realities of its citizenry. Senegal he says could begin by focusing on reducing the high percentage of income that the average family spends on food and transport. The World Bank report suggests government officials concentrate on making social security programs fair lasting and dynamic in order to avoid inefficiency and waste. Economically vulnerable groups in Senegal have suffered in recent years from increases in the prices of basic necessities such as food and transport. Government subsidy efforts and the worldwide pullback in commodity prices and basic materials have at least temporarily eased the burden on the nation’s poor. Experts believe any social safety net program should be aimed at consolidating those improvements.

Senegal marks 49th independence anniversary
Le Mali en ligne
Wade poured encomiums on his soldiers while speaking here at a military parade to mark the country 49th independence celebration. He paid a special tribute to France whose military contingent in the Cape Verde Armed Forces based in Dakar took part in the parade. “The participation of the French troops – 23rd battalion of infantry and navy (BIMA) – is the sign of the excellent military cooperation between our two countries? Wade said at the end of the parade.

Court to rule on detention of Chad ex-leader
AFP
Belgium filed charges in 2000 and 2001 alleging war crimes by Habre during his 1982-1990 presidency of Chad. In February Belgium asked the court the principal judicial organ of the United Nations to order Senegal either to put Habre on trial or extradite him. As a final ruling could take several years Belgium has asked the court to take “protective measures” to ensure that Habre who is living under supervision in the Senegalese capital Dakar “remains under the control and surveillance of the Senegalese judicial authorities. “Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade said recently that his country would lift the surveillance of Habre who took refuge in Senegal in 1990 if it could not find the 27.