Certain Questions of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (Djibouti v. France) - Additional information regarding the hearings opening on Monday 21 January 2008

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

Peace Palace, Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ The Hague, Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0)70 302 2323 Fax: +31 (0)70 364 9928
Website: www.icj-cij.org

Press Release
Unofficial

No. 2008/2
17 January 2008

Certain Questions of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters

(Djibouti v. France)

Additional information regarding the hearings opening on Monday 21 January 2008

THE HAGUE, 17 January 2008. The Registry of the International Court of Justice informs
the press of the following, with regard to the hearings opening on Monday 21 January 2008 in the
case concerning Certain Questions of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (Djibouti v. France).

With respect to the composition of the Court, it should be noted that Judge Ronny Abraham
(France) deemed that he should not take part in the decision of the case and informed the President
of the Court of this, in accordance with Article 17, paragraph2, of the Statute. Pursuant to
Article31 of the Statute and Article37, paragraph 1, of the Rules of Court, France has appointed
Mr. Gilbert Guillaume (France) as judge ad hoc for the case.

Since the Court does not include upon the Bench a judge of the nationality of Djibouti, that
State has availed itself of its right, under Article 31, paragraph 2, of the Statute, to choose a judge
ad hoc to sit in the case: it chose Mr. Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf (Somalia).

judhes ad hoc will make the solemn declaration prescribed by the Statute and the Rules
of Court at the opening of the hearings.

With respect to the composition of the Parties’delegations, it is to be noted that Djibouti

informed the Court in early January that it had appointed a new Agent in the case,
His Excellency Mr. Siad Mohamed Doualeh, Ambass ador of Djibouti to the Swiss Confederation,
in place of Mr. Djama Souleiman Ali, State Prosecutor of Djibouti, who will remain a member of
Djibouti’s legal team as Counsel.

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It is recalled that media representatives wishing to attend the above-mentioned hearings are
subject to an accreditation procedure, the details of which can be found on the Court’s website

(www.icj-cij.org) under “Press Room” ⎯ “Accreditation”.

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Information Department:

Mrs. Laurence Blairon, Secretary of the Court, Head of Department (+31 (0)70 302 2336)
Messrs. Boris Heim and Maxime Schouppe, Information Officers (+31 (0)70 302 2337)
Ms Joanne Moore, Assistant Information Officer (+31 (0)70 302 2394)