protagonists belonging to FRELIMO and RENAMO turning into peace advocates has had a salutary influence on both parties’ members. The result has been the adoption of dialogue and consultation as a national ethic for conflict resolution. Thus, the GPA provides a reference and framework for the resolution of intrastate conflicts and, indeed, for the conditions for establishing and consolidating multiparty democracy. 228. However, the CSAR also notes that there are challenges to the maintenance of peace. There is evidence of rising violence due to perceived inequities in election procedures, such as the registration of voters, campaigning and balloting, and reporting of the outcomes of the voting. The frustrations of opposition party members have led them to engage in public protests, which the police have repressed with maximum force. For instance, in 2000, several lives were lost in protests in the Montepuez and Mocimboa da Praia districts in Cabo Delgado. 229. Poverty, together with economic and social exclusion, is also identified as a major cause of violent conflict in society. Over half of the population lives in poverty and an estimated 20 per cent of the labour force is unemployed and, consequently, may feel socially excluded from participating in, and taking advantage of, the expanding economic opportunities in the country. The potential for persons resorting to violence in order to seek redress or just to make ends meet is therefore high. Access to water sources and land disputes are also mentioned as causes of violent conflict, especially in the rural areas. A further threat to the peace is the presence of armed RENAMO ex-combatants, who should have been disarmed as part of the post-war demobilisation drive and who now serve as security guards to RENAMO leaders. Their appearance at polling stations in the Marigue and Chiringoma districts during elections is said to pose potential danger to their political opponents. 230. The CSAR also traces some of the violent conflicts in the country to persisting imbalances in regional development in terms of investments, socioeconomic infrastructure, service delivery and large-scale projects that could alleviate poverty and unemployment. However, the government has been trying to correct this historical differentiation, the origins of which can be traced to the colonial period. Gangs engaged in criminal activities, such as the trafficking of women, children, drugs and arms, are another source of violent conflict. 231. The CSAR observes that there is a substantial quantity of hard drugs circulating in the country, and that the security authorities appear incapable of coping with the menace. Drug trafficking and abuse are more common among urban residents, especially the youth, who are exposed to the negative influences of a rapidly globalising society. Criminals do not lack ready sources of weapons, as arms are easy to procure locally or at regional firearm markets. It is noted that criminal gangs use arms to intimidate, maim and rob citizens and banks, particularly in Maputo and surrounding areas. The success of spectacular crimi- 96 A P R M COU N T RY R EV IEW R EP ORT NO. 11