A special court in Dakar on Thursday upheld a life sentence against Chad's former president Hissene Habre for war crimes, crimes against humanity and torture, but acquitted him of rape.

Chad's former president Hissene Habre began an appeal Monday against his life sentence for war crimes and crimes against humanity after a conviction hailed as a landmark for Africa.

Chad's former president Hissene Habre will on Monday begin an appeal against his life sentence for war crimes and crimes against humanity -- a verdict hailed as a landmark for Africa.

Former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre, sentenced to life in May for crimes against humanity, was ordered Friday to pay compensation to thousands of his victims of up to 30,000 euros ($33,000) each.

Court-appointed lawyers for former Chadian president Hissene Habre said Saturday they have appealed his life sentence for war crimes and crimes against humanity handed down by a special tribunal in Dakar.

The former Chadian dictator, who ruled from 1982 to 1990, went on trial on July 20, 2015, on charges of crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture before the Extraordinary African Chambers in the Senegalese courts,