000833 !II. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEDURE BEFORE THE COURT 10. The Application filed on 8 March 2016 and served on the Respondent State by a notice dated 20 April 2016, inviting the latter to submit a list of its representatives within thirty (30) days, and its Response to the Application within sixty (60) days of receipt of the notice, in accordance with Rules 35(2) (a) and 3S(4)(a) of the Rules of Court. The Applicant's prayer for legal aid before this Court was not granted. 11. On 10 June 2016, following its failure to file its Response, the Registry notified the Respondent State of the Court's decision, proprio motu, to extend by 30 days the time for the Respondent State to file its Response. 12. On the same date, the Application was transmitted to the Executive Council of the African Union and to the State Parties to the Protocol, through the Chairperson of the African Union Commission in accordance with Rule 35(3) of the Rules. 13. On 9 August 2016, the Respondent State filed its Response, explaining that the delay in doing so had been due to the fact that it needed to collect information from the various entities involved in the proceedings. 14. The Registry transmitted the Respondent State's Response to the Applicant on 17 August 2016, enjoining the latter to file its Reply within thirty (30) days of receipt thereof. 15. The Applicant submitted his Reply on 22 September 201G, and this was served on the Respondent state by a notice dated 4 october 2016. 16' At its 43rd Ordinary Session held from 31 October to 18 November 2016, the Court decided to close the written procedure. 17. On 26 January 2017, the Registry notified the pa of the closure of the written procedure as from 14 November 2016. 4 $