19. By a letter dated 3 March 2016, the Office of Legal Counsel and Directorate of Legal Affairs of the African Union Commission notified the Court of the submission of the Respondent's withdrawal of its Declaration made under Article 34(6) of the Protocol, which was received at the African Union Commission on 29 February 2016. 20. By a notice dated 10 March 2016, the Applicants were notified of the deposit by the Respondent of a declaration withdrawing its Declaration filed under Article 34(6) of the Protocol, and invited to file any comments thereon within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the notice. 21. The App licants filed observations regard ing the Respondent's withdrawal of the Declaration on 16 May 2016. The Respondent did not file a Response to the Applicant's observations. 22. On 3 June 2016, the Court issued a Ruling in Application No 003/2014, lngabire Victoire Umuhoza v Republic of Rwanda that the Respondent's withdrawal of its Declaration has no effect on that Application and it would continue with the hearing of that Application. 23. On 3 June 2016, the Court issued an Order in the current Application that, "the Court's Ruling in lngabire Victoire Umuhoza v Republic of Rwanda , therefore is to the effect that the withdrawal of Rwanda's Declaration does not have the effect of suspending proceedings of cases that have been filed against Rwanda before the Court" and "unanimously, decides to continue examining this Application". 24. This Order was transmitted to the Parties by a notice dated 5 July 2016. 25. The Court ordered that pleadings in the Application be closed with effect from 16 September 2016. 6