Botswana out of the Admissibility decision was a serious procedural mistake.
In this regard, the process before the Commission lack legitimacy and it would
not acquiesce to the proposition put forward by the Commission.
21. At its 47th Ordinary Session held from 12-26 May 2010, in Banjul, The Gambia,
the Commission decided to defer the consideration of the Communication to
its 48th Ordinary Session to allow the Respondent State one last chance to make
its submissions on the Merits. On 25 June 2010, both parties were informed of
the decision of the Commission and the Respondent State was requested to
submit its arguments on the Merits within two months on or before 29 August
2010. On 6 October 2010, the Respondent State sent an email to the Secretariat
of the Commission indicating that it had not received responses from the
Commission regarding its previous notes particularly the note dated 16 July
2010, which was faxed to the Commission.
22. On 23 May 2011, the Commission notified both parties that it intends to decide
the Communication on Merits based on the submissions of the Complainants
only, as the Respondent State had failed to make its submissions despite
repeated appeals. Similar reminders were sent on 3 May 2012, 9 September
2012 and 7 November 2012.
23. During its 52nd Ordinary Session held from 9 to 22 October 2012, the
Commission decided to defer the consideration of the Communication and
informed both parties on 8 December 2012. Other correspondences to the
Respondent State were made on 23 May 2013 and 24 August 2015.
Provisional Measures
24. At the time of their original submission, the Complainants also invoked the
powers of the African Commission under rule 111 to the effect that it requests
the Government of Botswana not to take any action that will cause irreparable
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