The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Mr. Jean Ping, is
following closely the latest developments in the situation in Zimbabwe, including the
decision by Zimbabwe’s opposition candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai, to pull out of the
second round of the presidential election, scheduled to take place on 27 June 2008.

This development and the increasing acts of violence in the run-up to the second
round of the presidential election are a matter of grave concern to the AU Commission.

The Chairperson of the Commission has initiated consultations with the AU
Chairperson, as well as with the Chairman of SADC, the SADC mediator and other
regional leaders, to determine how best the AU could assist in addressing the current
situation.

In the meantime, the Chairperson of the Commission stresses the need for all
Zimbabwean stakeholders to exercise restraint and reiterates his call for an immediate
end to all acts of violence. He urges all Zimbabwean parties to work together to
overcome the challenges facing their country in this critical phase of its history.

Addis Ababa, 23 June 2008