DAKAR, Senegal – The United Nations' highest court on Friday ordered Senegal to prosecute or extradite former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre, who has lived in luxury in this seaside capital for more than two decades amid accusations that he ordered political opponents to be tortured or killed.

A truth commission in the Central African nation of Chad has accused Habre of more than 40,000 political killings during his eight-year rule, and a court there already has sentenced him to death in absentia.

Human rights activists heralded the International Court of Justice's move, saying that the survivors of Habre's 1982-1990 rule have waited long enough to see their day in court. Many fear that time could run out to try the former ruler who turns 70 this year.