PSC/PR/BR(CDXXXVIII) Page 1 PRESS STATEMENT The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 438th meeting held on 27 May 2014, was briefed by the Commissioner for Political Affairs of the AU Commission on the developments relating to elections that took place in the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Guinea Bissau, the Republic of Algeria and the Republic of South Africa. Council welcomed the briefing from the Department of Political Affairs on elections in Malawi, Guinea Bissau, Algeria and South Africa, and congratulated the people and political leaders of the concerned countries for peaceful elections held in their respective countries. Council noted that the peaceful conclusion of these elections is a clear demonstration of Member States’ commitment to upholding the principles of the African Union as encapsulated in the African Charter on Democracy, Election and Governance. Echoing the sentiments of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission in her statement dated 25 May, Council congratulated Malawians for the elections conducted on 20 May 2014 and for the peace and tranquility that has prevailed thus far, despite some challenges particularly the delays in the processing of the results. Council called for the people of Malawi, political parties and candidates to exercise calm and allow the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to complete the tallying process and that due process of the law is followed. Council called on all stakeholders in Malawi to refrain from any action that may fuel conflict and violence and undermine the peacefully conducted elections and to seek legal redress in case of electoral disputes to avoid the incidence of post-election violence. Council appreciated the peaceful, free, fair and transparent manner in which the election in Guinea Bissau was conducted and congratulated the people, political leaders and National Electoral Commission of Guinea Bissau to this effect. Council stressed the need for the AU, together with the support of international organizations and all other relevant stakeholders to rally around the new government of Guinea Bissau and support in a sustained manner, the implementation the reforms of key strategies, economic reconstruction and development to ensure their success in the medium and long-term. Council commended the people of Algeria and political leaders for a peaceful and transparent presidential elections conducted on 17 April 2014. Council congratulated President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for his overwhelming re-election, which reflected the wishes of the Algerian people. Council applauded the people and political leaders of South Africa for the democratic, credible and transparent elections conducted on 7 May 2014 which were a significant milestone for South Africa and marked the 20th anniversary of the country’s first democratic elections, and the first elections after the passing away of the former President Nelson