The United Nation's highest court has ordered Senegal to either prosecute former Chadian President Hissene Habre on genocide charges or extradite him “without further delay.”

The International Court of Justice at The Hague issued the decision on Friday in response to Belgium's request to prosecute Mr. Habre for alleged crimes against humanity.

A Chad truth commission says Mr. Habre is responsible for the politically motivated torture and deaths of at least 40,000 people. The commission says the alleged abuses took place during his eight-year rule, which began in 1982.

Habre has been living in Senegal since he was overthrown by current Chadian President Idriss Deby.