EXECUTIVE SUMMARY __________________________________________________________________________ 3. MAIN OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS ON THE FOCUS AREAS 3.1 Democracy and political governance 3.1 On the issue of codes and standards, the CRM noted that efforts were made to ratify international legal instruments, but the same is not true for the legal standards of the African Union (AU). In fact, Benin has to date still not promulgated the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, adopted in July 2003 in Maputo. The CRM congratulates the new Beninese authorities for their determination to accelerate the process of adopting and ratifying international instruments, and invites them to adopt all the legislative and regulatory measures necessary to ensure that internal laws comply with the international standards and codes ratified by Benin. 3.2 From the point of view of internal and external conflict management, the CRM congratulates the authorities and the people of Benin for maintaining the climate of peace and political stability that has characterised Benin over the past two decades. Although internal conflicts do exist, they are not serious enough to jeopardise the political and social stability of the country. There are, nonetheless, several aspects that warrant special attention and that require the development and implementation of a national strategy for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts. In terms of relations with neighbouring countries, the CRM noted the peaceful settlement of the dispute between Benin and Niger on the subject of Lété Island, and the government’s declared willingness to find suitable solutions through dialogue and negotiation for the border dispute between Benin and some of its neighbours (notably Burkina Faso). 3.3 In the area of constitutional democracy, the CRM noted that, since the National Sovereign Conference of 1990, Benin has shown proof of an effective and vital democracy characterised by a return to democratic pluralism. The constitution recognised the right of all Beninese citizens to participate in the management of public affairs, in compliance with relevant international conventions. Moreover, political parties enjoy constitutional recognition. The framework for the organisation and action of the opposition is governed by the Act of 2001. A particularly flexible regulatory mechanism favours the creation of numerous political parties: today there are more than 150 officially registered parties. However, the CRM noted that the proliferation of political parties as a feature of the multiparty system has often been the cause of a certain dysfunctionality in Benin’s democracy. This situation calls for the effective application of the Charter of Political Parties. 3.4 The electoral system in Benin is not exempt from suspicion. It has been the subject of some controversies around its inability to guarantee just and fair competition in free and transparent elections. The CRM nonetheless noted, with great satisfaction, the holding of regular elections according to a fixed electoral calendar. This state of affairs indicates good practice, which helps to 6