38. The Court further decided that the Public Hearing on the merits of the case would be held during the November-December 2013 Ordinary Session, on dates to be announced. At its 30th Ordinary Session held in Arusha from 16 to 28 September 2013, the Court agreed on 28 and 29 November 2013 as dates for the Public Hearing. 39. By email dated 7 October 2013, received in the Registry on the same date, the Applicants, through their representatives, filed their reply dated 6 October 2013. 40. The Public Hearing was held on 28 and 29 November 2013, at the Seat of the Court in Arusha, and the Court heard the submission of the Parties as follows: For the Applicants: -Advocate Benewende Stanislas SANKARA, Counsel -Advocate lbrahima KANE, Counsel -Advocate Chidi Anselm ODINKALU, Counsel For the Respondent State: - Dieudonne Desire SOUGOURI, Director General of Legal and Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation -Advocate Antoinette OUEDRAOGO, Counsel -Advocate Anicet SOME, Counsel 41. During the Public Hearing, the Judges of the Court asked the parties questions and the latter responded. 42. By letter dated 18 December 2013 addressed to the Registrar of the Court, the Respondent, as requested by the Court during the Public Hearing of 29 November 2013, submitted a set of documents intended to establish the fact that hearing on the matter had not been suspended between 2001 and 2006 on grounds of the illness of the accused, Marcel Kafando, and that the hearing followed its normal course. 13