Assembly/AU/3 (X) Page 20 Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement, during which both leaders made an appeal for calm and committed themselves to dialogue. 88. On its part, the PSC, at its meeting held on 21 January 2008, expressed deep concern at the prevailing situation and its humanitarian consequences, as well as at its implications for peace and stability in Kenya and the region as a whole. It called on all the parties to exercise restraint, refrain from acts of violence and from any other act that could further complicate the situation, as well as prevail on their supporters to put an immediate end to the violence. The PSC stressed the need for the parties to extend full cooperation to the mediation efforts to be undertaken by the group of eminent African elders. VII. CONCLUSION 89. The PSC showed dynamism during the period under consideration, as attested by the number of meetings held and the diversity of issues addressed. In addition, the PSC endeavoured to improve its working methods, on the basis of the conclusions of the Retreat held in Dakar in early July. Efforts deployed to strengthen the partnership between the PSC on the one hand, and the United Nations and other international organizations referred to in Article 17 of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the PSC on the other hand, should also be mentioned. These efforts will be pursued and extended to other bodies mentioned by the Protocol, including the Pan-African Parliament, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the civil society. 90. Since last July, significant progress was made in the promotion of peace and security. However, there are still many challenges to be overcome, whether regarding the implementation of already concluded peace agreements or the search for solutions to ongoing conflicts. Consequently, there is a need for sustained and regular action on the part of the PSC as well as African leaders and other competent African bodies, in order, with the support of international partners, to make peace and security a tangible reality throughout the Continent. 91. The efforts made during the period under review have, once again, highlighted that one of the main constraints facing the AU and the regional organizations related to the lack of adequate financial resources and their almost exclusive reliance on resources provided by partners. While the assistance of AU partners is welcome and should continue to be sought, it is equally important that African countries contribute more significantly to the funding of peace efforts on the continent. 92. Furthermore, the developments which took place during the period under consideration highlighted the challenges posed by the tension and disputes that frequently characterize electoral processes in the Continent. This situation constitutes a challenge for the Continent and calls for appropriate solutions to be found, failing which the democratization process set in motion in the Continent since the early 90s will be undermined and weakened. It was in this context that the PSC at its meeting of 18 January 2008, underscored the need to initiate a collective reflection on the challenges linked to the tension and contestations which often characterize the electoral process in Africa, including the building of African capacities, at national, regional and continental levels, in the area of election observation and monitoring.