10. The Respondent's Response dated 23 January 2014, was received at the Registry on 5 February 2014, out of time. The Court, in the interest of justice, accepted the Respondent's response out of time and served it on the Applicant by a letter of the same date and giving the Applicant thirty (30) days from receipt thereof to file his Reply. 11. At the request of the Applicant, on 7 March 2014, the Court granted the Applicant's request for extension of time to file its Reply to the Respondent's Response on or before 7 April 2014. The Applicant filed his response on 8 April 2014, within time. Pleadings were closed on 17 April 2014 after the Applicant's Reply to the Respondent's Response was duly filed. 12. During the public hearing on the matter held on 3 December 2014 at the Headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the parties made oral submissions in support of their positions. The appearances were as follows: For the Applicant: i. Mr. Donald Deya ii. Ms. Evelyn H. Chijarira For the Respondent: i. Ms. Sarah D. Mwaipopo ii. Ms. Nkasori Sarakikya iii. Mr. Jumanne Ramadhan Mziray iv. Mr. Mark Mulwambo "7