DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 3 -- THE African Court on Human and People's Rights has ordered the government of Rwanda to reinstate passports of its citizens living in South Africa unlawfully revoked without their notification.

Justices of the Court ruled in favour of Kennedy Gihana, Kayumba Nyamwasa, Bamporiki Seif, Frank Ntwali, Safari Stanley, Dr Etienne Mutabazi and Epimaque Ntamushobora, the applicants, and directed the Republic of Rwanda, as the respondent state, to comply with the order within three months.

During hearing, the applicants alleged that the respondent state had since May 14, 2012 invalidated their passports without officially notifying them or be given an opportunity to appeal against the government's decision to cancel them. ...