2. The Bureau of the Commission shall ensure that the requirements in Rule 7(1) above are enforced in accordance with Article 31(1)& 2 and 39(2) of the African Charter. 3. In the case of incompatibility, the Chairperson of the Commission shall inform the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, who shall declare the seat vacant. Rule 8 Cessation of Function 1. If in the unanimous opinion of the other members of the Commission, a member has stopped discharging his or her duty for any reason other than temporary absence, the Chairperson of the Commission shall inform the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, who shall declare the seat vacant. 2. A member of the Commission may resign from his or her position at any time. He or she shall do so through a written notification addressed to the Chairperson of the Commission who shall transmit it to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. 3. The resignation shall take effect three months from the date of submission of the letter of resignation. 4. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission shall upon receipt of the notification, declare the seat vacant. The vacancy shall be effective from the date the resignation takes effect. 5. In the case of death of a member of the Commission, the Chairperson shall immediately inform the Chairperson of the African Union Commission who shall declare the seat vacant from the date of the death. 6. Every seat declared vacant in conformity with the present Rule shall be filled in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 39 of the African Charter. Rule 9 Solemn Declaration In conformity with 38 of the African Charter, before assuming office, every member of the Commission shall make the following solemn declaration at a public sitting of the Commission: "I solemnly undertake to carry out my duties well and faithfully in all impartiality". Chapter III Bureau of the Commission Rule 10 Composition of the Bureau The Bureau of the Commission shall be composed of a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson who shall perform the functions set forth in the African Charter and in these Rules of Procedure. Rule 11 Election of the Bureau 1. The Commission shall elect from among its members a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson. 2. Election shall be held by secret ballot. Only members present shall vote. A member who obtains a simple majority of the votes of the members of the Commission present and voting shall be elected. Rule 12 Duration of the Term of the Members of the Bureau The members of the Bureau of the Commission shall be elected for a period of two years. They shall be eligible for re-election only once. None of them may, however, exercise his or her functions if he or she ceases to be a member of the Commission. Rule 13 Powers and Functions of the Bureau 1. The Bureau shall coordinate the promotion and protection activities of the members of the Commission. 2. The Bureau shall supervise the work of the Secretary, including the preparation and approval of the work-plan of the Commission. Rule 14 Powers and Functions of the Chairperson 1. The Chairperson shall carry out the functions assigned to him or her by the Charter, the Rules of Procedure and the decisions of the Commission and the Assembly. In the exercise of his or her functions the Chairperson shall be under the authority of the Commission. 3