Rule 6 Vacancies 1. A vacancy of a seat of a Judge may arise as a result of death, permanent incapacitation, resignation or removal from office. 2. The effective date on which a seat becomes vacant shall be determined by the Chairperson of the AU Commission in accordance with Article 20 of the Protocol. Rule 7 Resignation 1. A Judge who decides to resign shall tender his/her notice of resignation to the President, who shall, as soon as possible, inform the other Judges. 2. In accordance with Article 20 of the Protocol, the President shall thereafter notify the Chairperson of the AU Commission. 3. Where the President decides to resign, he/she shall inform the Vice President and other Judges. The Vice President shall, in turn, notify the Chairperson of the AU Commission. Rule 8 Suspension or Removal 1. Where the application of Article 19(1) of the Protocol is under consideration, the President or, if the circumstances so require, the Vice-President, shall inform the concerned Judge, by a written statement, of the grounds thereof and any relevant evidence. 2. The concerned Judge shall, subsequently, at a closed sitting of the Court specially convened for the purpose, be afforded an opportunity of making a statement, of furnishing any information or explanations he/she wishes to give, and of supplying answers, orally or in writing, to any questions put to him/her. 9|Page