CHAPTER THREE: DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE __________________________________________________________________________ 119. The CSAR emphasises the existence of regulations and mechanisms to prevent, reduce and manage conflicts. 120. According to the CSAR, Benin has been trying to maintain good relations through permanent consultations. However, it deplores the lack of preparedness of the other countries to hold joint commissions for demarcating borders, and that unilateral decisions are taken by some neighbouring countries to close their borders. ii. Conclusions of the CRM 121. The CRM noted that, while domestic conflicts existed, they had not reached proportions that would compromise the political and social stability of the country. The review mission focused its attention on the types of conflicts, analyses of their causes and the mechanisms for managing and resolving them. 122. In terms of the types of internal conflicts the CRM noted, in meetings with stakeholders, the following:  The land issue remained a major cause of conflict in the country’s rural areas. This is due to the flaws in the legal mechanisms that govern land;  Conflicts between sedentary farmers and nomadic herdsmen are a second source of concern. These are exacerbated by the absence of a Rural Code and an appropriate strategy for managing and preventing conflicts;  Work-related conflicts include strike action in sectors such as education and the justice system. This hampers the work and performance of the administration;  The issue of the demarcation of communal borders is also a source of conflict. It is often fanned by envy aroused by the wealth, or potential wealth, of one region or the other; and  The absence of a proper physical planning policy. Regional imbalances in infrastructure, services and wealth redistribution are also sources of concern because they affect peace and stability. 123. The CRM also noted the lack of preparedness of the country and stakeholders to cope with the sheer magnitude of the conflicts. The lack of a national strategy for conflict prevention, management and resolution is coupled with the problem of weak modern and traditional conflict-management mechanisms. 124. From the point of view of conflict management and prevention mechanisms one can distinguish between: 68  traditional mechanisms; and  modern mechanisms.