8.
By letter dated 29 February 2016, Advocate Gatera Gashabana, the
representative of the Applicant wrote to the Registry of the Court requesting an
adjournment of the public hearing.
9.
By letter dated 1 March 2016, Dr. Caroline Buisman, the representative of the
Applicant reiterated the Applicant's request for adjournment of the public
hearing, adding however that the representatives of the Applicant were willing
to discuss procedural matters.
10.
By 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."
11.
By letter dated 2 March 2016, the Registry of the Court served on the Applicant
the Respondent's letter dated 1 March 2016, and served on the Respondent the
Applicant's letters dated 29 February and 1 March 2016 respectively. The
Registry of the Court further informed the Parties that the public hearing
scheduled for 4 March 2016 would proceed as earlier indicated.
12.
By 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 instrument of withdrawal of its Declaration
made under Article 34(6) of the Protocol, which was received at the African
Union Commission on 29 February 2016.
13.
By letter dated 3 March 2016, the Respondent acknowledged receipt of the
Court's letter of 2 March 2016. The letter further stated:
3