Passion or Profession: President

Period: 1942–

Habré was born in the town of Faya Largeau in northern Chad. He studied in Paris before returning to Chad to assume a government post in 1970. Habré soon aligned himself with antigovernment militants and became leader of the Armed Forces of the North (FAN). In 1982, Habré's forces captured the capital, N'Djamena. He ousted Goukouni Oueddei from power and took over as president. Factional conflict continued, however, and Habré was deposed in 1990. Habré brutally suppressed opposition during his rule and in 2005, was charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes, and torture.