recovery.
15. On 22nd September 2003, the Secretariat again contacted the Parties involved in the communication
and requested them to submit their written observations on admissibility.
16. On 6th October 2003, the Secretariat received written submissions from the Complainant.
17. The Secretariat acknowledged receipt of the Complainant's submissions on 15th October 2003 and on
the same date forwarded the said submissions to the Respondent State reminding it to forward its written
submission with regard to admissibility and to provide more information on all the local remedies available
in the context of debt recovery in Congolese legislation.
18. On the 4th November 2003, the Secretariat of the African Commission received written observations
from the Respondent State.
19. During the 34th Ordinary Session of the African Commission held from 6th to 20th November 2003 in
Banjul, The Gambia, the Respondent State made an oral presentation of its grounds of defence on the
admissibility of the communication.
20. After consideration of the communication during its 34th Ordinary Session, the African Commission
decided to defer its decision to the 35th Ordinary Session in order to allow the plaintiff time to submit his
written observations on the admissibility of the communication, taking into account the observations of the
Respondent State.
21. On 7th December 2003, the Secretariat notified the Parties of the decision of the African Commission
and sent to the Complainant a copy of the observations submitted by the Respondent State.
22. On 9th March 2004, the Secretariat of the African Commission informed the Parties that consideration of
the admissibility of the communication was scheduled for the 35th Ordinary Session. The Complainant was
requested to send his reaction to the written observations submitted by the Respondent State.
23. On 30th March and 5th April 2004, the Secretariat of the African Commission received the observations
from the Complainant on the matter of admissibility. These observations were forwarded by DHL to the
Respondent State on the 30th April 2004.
24. During the 35th Ordinary Session held in Banjul from 21st May to 4th June 2004, the African Commission
heard oral submissions from the Respondent State. After having considered the communication, the
African Commission declared it admissible.
25. On 18th June 2004, the Secretariat of the African Commission informed the Parties of the [African]
Commission's decision and requested them to submit more information on the merits of the communication.
26. A reminder was sent to both Parties on 6th September 2004.
27. On the 28th October 2004, the Secretariat of the [African] Commission received the written observations
from the Complainant on the merits of the communication and acknowledged receipt thereof.
28. During the 36th Ordinary Session held from 23rd November to 7th December 2004 in Dakar, Senegal,
the African Commission considered the communication and deferred its consideration on the merits to the
37th Ordinary Session.
29. By correspondence of 20th December 2004, the Secretariat of the [African] Commission informed
Parties to the communication of the above decision.
30. On 10th March 2005, the Secretariat of the [African] Commission conveyed the comments of the
Complainant to the Respondent State reminding it to send its written arguments as early as possible.
31. During the 37th Ordinary Session held from 27th April to 11th May 2005 in Banjul, The Gambia, the
African Commission considered the communication and decided to defer its consideration on the merits to
the 38th Ordinary Session.
32. By correspondence dated 28th June 2005, the Secretariat of the African Commission informed the
parties of the decision of the African Commission and requested the Respondent State to submit its
arguments on the merits of the case within two months.
33. The Secretariat of the [African] Commission sent a reminder to the Respondent State on 10th October
2005.
34. At its 38th Ordinary Session held from 21st November to 5th December 2005, the African Commission
decided to defer its decision on the merits to the 39th Ordinary Session.
35. On 15th December 2005, the Secretariat of the [African] Commission conveyed this decision on
deferment to the Parties.
36. At its 39th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia from 11th to 25th May 2006, the African
Commission considered the communication and decided to defer its decision on the merits to its 40th
Ordinary Session.
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