48. By a letter dated 17 June 2008, the Complainants were notified and served with a copy of the Respondent State‟s submission on the Merits. 49. At its 44th Ordinary Session, the African Commission considered the Communication and decided to defer further consideration of same to its 45 th Ordinary Session to allow the Complainants to respond to the Respondent State‟s 50. AC HP R submissions on the Merits. By Note Verbale and a letter dated the 5 January 2009, both parties were informed of this decision and the Complainants were requested to send their response before 5 March 2009. 51. At its 45th Ordinary Session, the African Commission considered the Communication and deferred further consideration, thereon, to its 46th Ordinary Session to allow the African Commission to prepare a decision on the Merits. 52. At its 46th Ordinary Session, the African Commission considered the Communication and again deferred its decision on the Merits to its 47th Ordinary Session. 53. By Note Verbale and a letter dated 14 December 2009, the Secretariat of the African Commission notified both parties of its decision. 54. At its 47th Ordinary Session, the African Commission considered the Communication and decided to defer its decision on the Merits to its 48th Ordinary Session. 9