SUDAN 23. The remaining major conflicts concern the status of Abyei and the boundary between Sudan and South Sudan in that area; the conflict in Darfur over access to resources and socio-economic inequalities related to identities; South Kordofan and Blue Nile conflict, where negotiations to determine the status of the two states remained inconclusive. Violent conflicts, although considerably reduced in scale and frequency, are still being waged by rebel movements of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) and the Sudan Liberation Movement–al Nur (SLM-A) and their areas of activity are yet to be fully pacified. 24. However, the national dialogue process is a promising initiative, as it could facilitate the institutional reforms that can bring an end to these conflicts. Indeed, the National Dialogue has created optimism and high expectation among Sudanese across tribal, religious and ideological lines that a new beginning is in the offing. It therefore deserves to be encouraged, reinforced and institutionalized. Continental and international communities, especially the African Union, are called upon to support Sudan as it goes through this process of rebuilding the nation. 25. With respect to inter-state conflicts, the absence of an enhanced regional framework for cooperation to settle the root causes of conflicts between neighbours has led in some cases to mutual destabilization, and prolonged conflicts in the region. Regional and Continental organizations, particularly IGAD and the AU should strengthen their efforts to create conditions conducive for promoting peace in the region. National leaders of Sudan and neighbouring states are encouraged to continue to value regional peacemaking efforts and support organizations leading the process. 26. On access to justice, the National Dialogue has recommended that the power of the Minister of Justice to stay criminal proceedings should be reviewed so that prosecutors can enjoy more independence. Access to justice could further be enhanced by empowering the lower courts (courts other than the Constitutional Court) to determine constitutional matters, particularly those relating to the protection of human rights. 27. Sudan has established a credible legal environment for the operation of civil society organizations, which grants them the right to contest the regulatory decisions of Government. Civil society groups participated in the important National Dialogue process, and their input is reflected in the outcomes/recommendations of the National Dialogue Conference. In order to improve the regime governing the operation of civil society organizations, the Panel encourages Sudan to increase the period of registration of voluntary organizations, and review the reporting obligations of these organizations. 28. Sudan has established a legal framework for strengthening public service institutions. Thus, the INC envisages a meritocratic and politically neutral civil service, and sees it as a distinct instrument of the national Government and regulates its character. The INC places governance of the civil service in the hands of a National Civil Service Commission composed of workers of proven competence, experience, integrity and impartiality. Thus, there is an unambiguous design to have a civil service whose personnel is recruited to ensure it has the needed competences and yet composed in a manner that is broadly representative of the country’s population. The Constitution does not make similar elaborate provisions for state civil services because Sudanese states develop their own constitutions. Hence, each state is expected to make its separate civil service laws. 29. Sudan has enacted a number of laws to combat corruption, including the INC, the Penal Act of 2003, the Procurement Law, and the National Audit Act of 2015. The Government of Sudan is encouraged to establish an independent anti-corruption agency to drive its various policy commitments on combatting corruption. 30. Decentralization in Sudan is not merely an aspect of administrative devolution, but a constitutional measure adopted as part of the negotiated terms of resolving the governance challenges created by internal conflicts. The states are responsible for local government, and are expected to make laws providing for the establishment of localities and election to a council to act as its legislative organ. While the localities exist as governing authorities, they do not as yet have elected councils. This means that commissioners appointed by state governors administer the localities. It is recommended that Governors and Commissioners heading state and local administrations respectively should be elected. Furthermore, 06