A/HRC/18/40 country. Throughout the reporting period there were widespread allegations of arbitrary arrests and detention, torture and incommunicado detention perpetrated by the NSS. 58. The independent expert would also like to point out the enormous challenges faced by South Sudan as it becomes as a new State on 9 July. The most urgent priority is for the SPLM to accelerate the transition from a military movement to a responsible and accountable Government that respects and protects the fundamental rights of the people. The post-referendum violence, particularly in Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei States, and the systematic human rights abuses that continue to occur in an environment of impunity remain grave issues. The threats facing civilians are substantial and are likely to increase. Long-standing patterns of localized, intercommunal violence are likely to continue unless the Government of South Sudan takes concrete measures to protect civilians and to address the widespread impunity and lack of accountability that continue to be the central cause of conflict in South Sudan. 59. The human rights situation in Darfur remains precarious, with continuing fighting and breaches of human rights and international humanitarian law by the parties to the conflict. Hundreds of thousands of civilians continue to suffer the effects of the armed conflict through direct attacks, displacements and limited access to humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms in the region has to a large extent been suppressed by the combined effect of the application of emergency and security laws. 60. The independent expert is deeply concerned about the situation in Southern Kordofan and Abyei, which clearly demonstrates the need for immediate political dialogue between the partners of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and a renewed commitment to address the outstanding issues facing the North and the South. In Abyei, the independent expert noted with alarm the utter destruction of the town since fighting broke out in May 2011. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced and have 23