17.
By letters dated 29 February 2016 and 1 March 2016, representatives of the
Applicant wrote to the Registry of the Court, requesting an adjournment of the
public hearing. In the letter of 1 March 2016, the representative of the Applicant
however requested to be heard on procedural matters.
18.
By a letter dated 1 March 2016, received on 2 March 2016, the Respondent
notified the Court of its deposition of an instrument of withdrawal of its
Declaration made under Article 34(6) of the Protocol to the African Charter on
Human and Peoples' Rights on the Establishment of the African Court on
Human and Peoples' Rights (hereinafter referred to as "the Protocol"). The letter
further stated:
"The Republic of Rwanda requests that after deposition of the same, the
Court suspends hearings involving the Republic of Rwanda, including the
case referred above until review is made to the Declaration and the Court
is notified in due course."
19.
By a letter dated 2 March 2016, the Registry confirmed receipt of the Applicant's
letters of 29 February 2016 and 1 March 2016. It informed the Applicant that the
public hearing would proceed as scheduled for 4 March 2016, and that the Court
did not have the capacity to allow the participation of the Applicant by videoconferencing technology. It further served on the Applicant, the Respondent's
letter dated 1 March 2016.
20.
By a letter dated 2 March 2016, the Registry confirmed receipt of the
Respondent's letter of 1 March 2016. It informed that Respondent that the public
hearing would proceed as scheduled for 4 March 2016. It further served on the
Respondent the Applicant's letters dated 29 February 2016 and 1 March 2016.
21.
By a letter dated 3 March 2016, the Office of Legal Counsel and Directorate of
Legal Affairs of the AUC notified the Court of the submission of the
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