EXECUTIVE SUMMARY __________________________________________________________________________ tolerance, characterised by the harmonious and peaceful coexistence of all religions and forms of worship, making Benin an example to be emulated by the rest of Africa. 3.16 The critical question is whether Benin’s political system has the capacity to guarantee political and civil liberties while ensuring the economic and social development of the people. The second part of this challenge is analysed in the report in the sections on economic governance and socioeconomic development. Concerning the first aspect, the CRM observed that Benin – notwithstanding the strengths that have been mentioned and the progress seen – is faced with a number of challenges. To this effect, the implementation of the Charter of Political Parties is strongly recommended in order to contribute to the implementation of a governance system based on republican principles and the public interest. Moreover, the role, place and status of traditional governance within the republic are also important elements of the challenges facing Benin. Challenges that will have to be given serious attention include institutional efficiency; promoting and consolidating the rule of law; providing access to the justice system and ensuring its efficiency; promoting full enjoyment of economic and social rights; and consolidating the role and place of women in the economy, society and in particular in decision-making bodies and their representation therein. Finally, corruption at all government and society levels represents a major challenge that affects all political, economic and social players, and this calls for measures that are at the same time rigorous, appropriate and beneficial. 3.17 In order to consolidate what has been achieved and to deal with the major challenges of political governance, the APR Panel would like to recommend the following: (i) ratify relevant international instruments, including the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption; (ii) develop and implement a national strategy for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts without delay; (iii) reinforce the capacity and effectiveness of institutions, accelerate the process of decentralisation, and proceed with the effective transfer of competencies and resources to communes by implementing the decentralisation laws; (iv) strengthen the functional guarantees on the separation and balance of powers by building capacity in the National Assembly; (v) ensure strict adherence to the Charter of Political Parties; (vi) consolidate the independence of the judiciary and the autonomy of judicial authority, and accelerate the implementation of the Integrated Programme to Support the Judicial and Judiciary System (PIRSJ) in all its aspects; (vii) implement the relevant provisions on administrative reform, while ensuring the development of a new administrative culture based on appreciation of the value of work, merit, respect for the public service and correct remuneration, along with regular monitoring of all levels of administrative management, reporting, results and sanctioning (positive or negative); (viii) implement a national strategic plan for the fight against corruption with a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ for the corruptors and the corrupted; (ix) develop and adopt a national gender policy to provide a frame of reference and guideline for all sectors of development; and (x) develop and implement a code on the protection of the child and a national strategy with 10