They did, however, warn that the police and other security agencies should ensure that legal immigrants are engaged in lawful activities, while illegal immigrants should be rapidly repatriated. While no significant xenophobic attitude in the country is perceivable, the presence of a growing number of immigrants, especially successful entrepreneurs of Asian origin, is likely to provoke envy and suspicion of their means of wealth. It will be necessary to take steps to avoid a situation in which the frustration of nationals, who are unable to compete economically, boils over into vengeful violence against immigrants. 265. The level of poverty in Mozambique is a threat to the maintenance of peace, law and order. While poverty has decreased nationally from 69.4 per cent in 1997 to 54.1 per cent in 2003, it has actually increased in Cabo Delgado (the northernmost province), Maputo province and Maputo city (in the southernmost part of the country). As indicated above, Maputo city and Maputo province had the highest concentration of crimes between 2007 and 2008. 266. Control of, and access to, land is a source of conflict in many communities in Mozambique. All land is vested in the state, but individuals can apply for the right of use which, if approved, confers lease rights for a specified number of years. The right to allocate land for residential or agricultural purposes is vested in the Community Consultative Councils (CCCs). In interactive sessions with various stakeholders, participants expressed many misgivings about the process of allocation usually not being transparent or fair. There were also complaints of people with power encroaching on land allocated to individuals. For instance, complaints that some military personnel encroached on farmlands belonging to small-scale farmers to graze their cattle were brought before the CRM in Gaza province. However, traditional rulers and community leaders often intervene to resolve such conflicts and where they fail, recommend that cases be submitted to the courts. 267. Elections were also identified as a cause of conflict in Mozambique. In the 2004 elections, many violent clashes between FRELIMO and RENAMO supporters occurred at Angoche, Chimoio, Inhaminga (where an armed guard of the national leader of RENAMO was shot dead), Mozambique Island and other areas. There were also violent clashes during the local elections of November 2008 in Beira, Dondo and Marromeau in Sofala province, and in the Nampula and Tete provinces. Electoral violence is caused by the incitement of political leaders and reluctance to permit campaigning by opponents in party strongholds. III. Recommendations 268. The APR Panel recommends that Mozambique should: • Pay, as a matter of urgency, the outstanding pensions of ex-combatants and assist those who are still not integrated to reintegrate in a sustainable way [Office of the President; FRELIMO; RENAMO; Ministry of Finance (MF)]; 107