“We pray that Aung San Suu Kyi and her country are now on a path to freedom”
– Desmond Tutu

After pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was elected to parliament in Burma/Myanmar, The Elders welcome the positive reforms taking place and announce that Daw Suu Kyi will be stepping down as an honorary Elder, in line with the requirement that members of The Elders should not hold public office.

After rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas sign a reconciliation agreement, The Elders urge regional neighbours and the international community, especially the United States, Israel and the European Union, to support this development as an essential step towards peace.

Following months of post-election violence in Côte d'Ivoire, Kofi Annan, Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu meet President Alassane Ouattara and former president Laurent Gbagbo, as well as civil society organisations and internally displaced persons in the country. The Elders urge the new government to ensure that the national reconciliation process is independent, inclusive and not rushed.

The Elders state that only Colonel Gaddafi's departure from power can stop the violent repression in Libya, and urge UN Member States to consider measures to provide immediate protection amd humanitarian assistance to the civilian population.

After meeting the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities during The Elders' fourth visit to the divided island, Desmond Tutu and Gro Brundtland emphasise that greater goodwill, trust and compromise are needed to achieve a lasting resolution of the conflict.

The possibility of a viable two-state solution being eroded by settlement expansion, Palestinian home demolitions and deportations

Mary Robinson, Ela Bhatt and Jimmy Carter are in the Middle East to encourage support for a two-state solution, but also to highlight issues that stand in the way of achieving “a just and secure peace for all”. They conclude their week-long visit to the region on Friday. During their visit to the region they have held meetings in Gaza, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Israel and the West Bank.

Mary Robinson, Ela Bhatt and Lakhdar Brahimi say the isolation of Gaza is not only illegal collective punishment, but also an impediment to peace. President Carter will join his fellow Elders in Egypt on their return from Gaza.

After visiting Gaza during their week-long visit to the Middle East, Mary Robinson, Ela Bhatt and Lakhdar Brahimi condemn the illegal blockade of Gaza saying that it not only helps to perpetuate dire humanitarian conditions, but is also an impediment to peace.

A year after talks to reunify the divided island of Cyprus began, Desmond Tutu, Lakhdar Brahimi and Gro Brundtland will visit Ankara, Athens and Cyprus to discuss issues related to the peace process with political leaders.

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Following the MDC's announcement that it will join a government of national unity, The Elders call on all Zimbabweans to unite to end the terrible suffering in their country, and urge international donors to support this development.

One month after being refused entry to Zimbabwe, The Elders release a detailed report expressing concern about the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation, ongoing human rights violations and the inability of the current government to relieve the suffering of their people.