THE HAGUE / BURKINA FASO - NIGER

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) today (8 October) opened public hearings in the case concerning the frontier dispute betweenBurkina FasoandNiger. ICJ

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:00:37
• Production Date: 8 October 2012
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE - ICJ
• Geographic Subject: BURKINA FASO; NIGER
• MAMS Id: U121008a

Description

STORY: THE HAGUE / BURKINA FASO - NIGER
TRT: 0 :37
SOURCE: ICJ
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: NATS

DATELINE: 8 OCTOBER 2012, THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, «Auditorium Room» with ICJ judges sitting
2. Various shots, Burkina Faso delegation
3. Various shots, Niger delegation
4. Close up, ICJ President Peter Tomka listening to presentation of one party
5. Med shot, judges listening
6. Med shot, audience
7. Med shot, judges listening

Storyline

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) today (8 October) opened public hearings in the case concerning the frontier dispute between Burkina Faso and Niger.

On 20 July 2010, Burkina Faso and Niger jointly submitted a frontier dispute between them to the Court. Under the terms of their Special Agreement, «The [ICJ] is requested to […] determine the course of the boundary between the two countries in the sector from the astronomic marker of Tong-Tong to the beginning of the Botou bend». Under the terms of their Agreement, both States have committed themselves to «accept the Judgment of the Court […] as final and binding upon them» and «to commence the work of demarcating the boundary […] 18 months from the day on which the Judgment is rendered. »

Their Special Agreement also contains the following commitment: “Pending the Judgment of the Court, the Parties undertake to maintain peace, security and tranquillity among the populations of the two States in the frontier region, refraining from any act of incursion into the disputed areas and organizing regular meetings of administrative officials and the security services. With regard to the creation of socio-economic infrastructure, the Parties undertake to hold preliminary consultations prior to implementation.”

The final conclusions by Burkina Faso will be presented on 15 October. The final conclusions by Niger will be delivered on 17 October, thus closing the oral pleadings in the case. The ICJ Judges will then start their deliberation. In general, ICJ Judgments are expected after a 4 to 6 months deliberation period.

The ICJ, also known as the « World Court », is the principal judicial organ of the UN. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. Owing to the renovation of the Great Hall of Justice of the Peace Palace, where the Court usually sits, these public hearings are being held in the auditorium of The Hague Academy of International Law, whose building is adjacent to the Peace Palace.