Cities and Local Responses in the Management of the Coronavirus Pandemic in Africa: Sub-regional Consultations for Eastern and Southern Africa

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The Coordination for the Africa Region of the International Observatory for Participatory Democracy (IODP Africa), in collaboration with Enda ECOPOP, United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) and its ALGA Academy, have launched a series of regional consultations on the response of cities and localities in the management of the coronavirus pandemic in Africa.

On 03 September and 15 September 2020, the 4th and 5th consultations for the Eastern and Southern Africa region were held.

The objective of the consultations is to share and discuss the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic in African cities through lived experiences, impact on local development, democracy and citizen participation and to advocate for the support of IOPD Africa activities.

Both sessions were moderated by Mr. Bachir Kanouté, IOPD Coordinator for Africa and ENDA-Ecopop.

Mr. Jean Pierre Elong MBASSI, Secretary General of UCLG Africa was represented by Dr. Najat ZARROUK, Director of ALGA of UCLG Africa.

UCLG Africa, through its Academy, has sought to mobilize speakers from South Africa, Mauritius, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia to present their experiences and responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read the scoping note here.

Resolutions of the Virtual Conference on: “County Governments’ Resilience in the COVID-19 Era: Reflecting on the Past and Building Sustainability for the Future”

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The COVID-19 Virtual Conference was convened by the Council of Governors of Kenya on Monday 31st August, 2020 with an overall objective of reflecting on the government’s COVID-19 response efforts, challenges and recommending strategic policy measures that can be adopted by both levels of government in readiness for future pandemics.

The official opening of the virtual conference on the theme: “County Governments’ Resilience in the COVID-19 Era: Reflecting on the Past and Building Sustainability for the Future” was made by the President of the Republic of Kenya His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta. UCLG Africa Secretary General, Mr. Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi was among guest speakers (read his statement here).

In line with the conference theme the conference made the 15 resolutions below:

  1. Both levels of government to institutionalize the strong intergovernmental relations exhibited during the COVID-19 period by applying structural and transformative response towards future pandemics and all sectors of our national life.

ACTION: County Governments, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Devolution and Development Partners.

  1. The National Government and the County Governments shall jointly develop a country post COVID-19 socio-economic re-engineering and recovery strategy.

ACTION: Council of Governors, National Treasury, UNDP

 Read more.

 

 

Joint UCLG Africa / OECD webinar on « The Governance and the Economy of Water Security in Africa »

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As part of the preparation of the 9th forum organized by the OECD in March 2021 in Dakar (Senegal) on “governance and economics of water security for sustainable development in Africa”, the OECD in collaboration with UCLG Africa is organizing a webinar on September 17, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. as part of the survey launched among some forty African cities.

The purpose of this webinar is to allow an exchange and discussion with the cities that responded to the questionnaire, as well as a feedback and observations that will be taken into account in order to finalize the results of the survey.

The OECD partner institutions for the work program on water governance in Africa, as well as Mayors and representatives of cities contacted to respond to the survey, are invited to participate in this webinar.

Register here.

 

PS: The session will be in French

Towards a post-Covid-19 economic and financial recovery of local and regional governments in Africa : Overview of recovery plans and economic support measures

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The health wave of the Covid-19 pandemic seems less important than those experienced in Europe and Asia. However, Africa remains fragile in terms of health with coverage rates of health structures among the lowest in the world, and all the more so as successive waves of the pandemic are to be feared. In all countries, central, regional and local governments have anticipated by taking the barrier measures that have slowed the spread of the disease. If the contamination figures remain at low levels, the repercussions of the measures taken to prevent the pandemic from developing could call into question the progress made over the past decade in terms of improving the living conditions of the populations.

The economic situation is therefore likely to deteriorate structurally to the point where the African Development Bank (AfDB) forecasts that “nearly 50 million Africans will fall into extreme poverty and that a third of Africans, or 425 million people., live below the poverty line[1]“. The face of this poverty will largely be represented by the increasing numbers of slum dwellers in our cities and informal sector workers [2].

At the territorial level, the impact is likely to be greater according to UCLG Africa [3], particularly in terms of financial resources and investment expenditure of local authorities. The results of simulations carried out from two scenarios[4], based on data from the Observatory of Local Finances, suggest a real collapse in the financial resources of local authorities, of the order of 30% to 60% depending on the regions of Africa and the sizes of cities. As for investment expenditure, their level will drop by around 25% to 40% depending on the regions of Africa and the sizes of cities ; the level of investment spending would be close to 0 for small towns and intermediate towns[5].

On another level, many analysts agree that beyond the issue s of public health, management of the pandemic now questions the development model that most states have adopted in the context of globalization. Beyond issues related to the development of short circuits rather than long circuits, the territorialization of public policies must be at the heart of the changes to come. Among these, the local authorities must, while managing the emergency and the daily problems, put in place the conditions for anticipating the changes that will take place in the long term.

To organize the process of exiting the crisis, it is important to have in sight not only the response to the emergency, but also the implementation of strategies to revive economic activity. The local authorities should fight Covid-19 in three – and often overlapping – phases:

Read more in the latest issue of LEDNA’s bimonthly Newsletter, available here . 

AFRICAN DAY OF DECENTRALIZATION AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT 2020 : RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AFRICAN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

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UCLG Africa organized a webinar on 10 August 2020 under the theme selected by the African Union, “The contribution of Local Authorities to conflict prevention and peacekeeping on the Continent,” to celebrate the African Day of Decentralization and Local Development. The webinar was attended by 140 people representing more than 50 countries both in and outside Africa.

The official opening ceremony heard speeches by Mr. Léandre Nzué, President of UCLG Africa (read by Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa), Mr. Mohamed Boudra, President of UCLG World, President of the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Communal Councils (AMPCC) and Mayor of the City of Al Hoceima (Morocco), Mr. Mohand Laenser, President of the Association of Regions of Morocco (ARM), President of the Council of the Region of Fez -Meknès (Morocco), and Mr. Saâd Benmbarek, President of the Moroccan Association of the Councils of Prefectures and Provinces (AMPCPP), President of the Council of the Prefecture of Rabat, Morocco.

For the President of UCLG Africa, the decision by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union to annually celebrate the African Day of Decentralization and Local Development on August 10 reflects their desire to make decentralization a model of public governance in African countries. “By adopting the African Charter on the Values ​​and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development in June 2014, our Heads of State and Government sent a clear message that public authorities now have two components: one national and one local. One of the essential conditions for launching the dynamics of sustainable development in Africa is the imperative to silence the guns on the continent. We believe that local authorities are in the front line both for conflict prevention and for the treatment of post-conflict situations, hence the importance of involving them. The two panels that we will have will deal with two major requests from local authorities in the area of ​​peace and security on our continent: We call for the involvement of local and subnational governments in the early warning system on conflicts put in place through the African Union, and we call for the systematic involvement of local and subnational governments in post-conflict situations to build peace between communities. I hope that the deliberations of this webinar will help us to see the indispensable role of local authorities in conflict prevention in Africa,” Mr. Léandre Nzué.

Mr. Mohamed Boudra congratulated UCLG Africa for this celebration in his capacity, “as President of the great family of local authorities of the world but also as an African, this day is an opportunity to take stock of decentralization. I stand in solidarity with the communities of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso which have recently suffered terrorist attacks. We must convince our governments every day, of the importance of achieving the United Nation’s Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s s Agenda 2063. It is obvious that local and subnational governments play a daily role in resolving different types of conflicts by producing the services needed by the populations and by practicing a community-based policy, the fight against racism and xenophobia and the fight against social exclusion against immigrant.”

Mr. Mohand Laenser stated that local and subnational governments were the first to suffer from conflicts. “Underdevelopment, poverty, illiteracy, and marginalization are all issues that foster conflicts. As managers of local authorities, our role is extremely important in all areas. If development is present, 80% of the causes of conflicts will be eradicated.”

Mr. Saâd Benmbarek, underlined the importance of tackling the situation of street children. “We cannot build peace with 30 million children walking the streets of Africa. These children are sometimes part of the rebels. In this sense, I would like to salute the campaign of African Cities without Street Children launched during the Africities 8 Summit in Marrakech in November 2018 by REFELA (Network of Local Elected Women of Africa) and having as a sponsor Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem.”

Tribute to the late Dr. Alioune Badiane

The webinar participants observed a minute of silence in memory of Dr. Alioune Badiane, former Director of UN-Habitat for Africa, who died in Dakar on July 31. Dr. Alioune Badiane was the one of the most influential advocates of the New Urban Agenda in Africa and supported the vision and causes of UCLG Africa as Special Adviser. A commemoration in his honor was organized on 04 August 2020 by UN-Habitat. A second commemoration is scheduled for Thursday, 13 August 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Rabat time (UTC + 1).

Introductory Report: Promoting the constructive resolution of disputes and conflicts in Africa

An introductory presentation was made by Dr. Vasu Gounden, Founder and Executive Director of the African Center for Constructive Dispute Resolution (ACCORD) who addressed the theme, “Promoting the constructive resolution of disputes and conflicts in Africa.”

Read more.

 

Call for contribution to the Issue N°4  of the AFRICAN LOCAL MANAGER VOICE

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As part of the activities of the Local Africa Network HRnet and the Observatory of Local Human Resources in Africa of UCLG Africa, a call for contribution for the issue  N° 4 of the “African Local Manager Voice”,  is open.

The theme of this second issue is : “Managing the Human Resources of Local Government in Africa in Time of Covid-19 Pandemic and beyond: between Lockdown, Continuity of Local Public Services, Isolation and Work-From-Home”.

WHO CAN CONTRIBUTE ?

The newsletter is mainly open to contributions from African Territorial Managers regardless of their field of activity or professional field. However, in a spirit of openness to the environment of African Territorial Communities and Benchmarking, any other contribution having an added value.

Contributions are expected before 15 Novembre 2020.

Read More here.

Celebration of the African Day of Decentralization and Local Development 2020: the contribution of local authorities to conflict prevention and peacekeeping on the continent

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On 10 August 2020, UCLG Africa is organizing a webinar for the African Day of Decentralization and Local Development (ADD). The meeting will be held online from 2:00pm to 4:30pm on the theme selected by the African Union for the 2020 edition, “The contribution of local authorities to conflict prevention and peacekeeping on the continent.”

This theme is inspired by the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the decision of the continent’s heads of state who proclaimed 2020 as the year, “Silencing the guns: creating the conditions for Africa’s development”.

UCLG Africa welcomes this theme, which is all the more justified as conflicts and wars primarily affect populations and communities at the local level. When violent conflicts occur, victims often find their first aid comes from the local population or authorities. It is often the local authorities that are faced with receiving displaced people or migrants due to situations of open conflict or war. Local and regional authorities are therefore in the front line both in conflict prevention and in dealing with post-conflict situations.

As the umbrella organization of local and regional governments of the continent, UCLG Africa will contribute to this webinar by exploring two sub-themes selected by the African Union:

Sub-theme 1: “The participation of Africa’s local and regional authorities in the African Union’s conflict early warning system.”

Sub-theme 2: “The contribution of local and regional authorities in Africa for the reconstruction of peace and harmony between communities in post-conflict situations.”

The first panel will address the crucial involvement of territorial authorities in the African Union’s early warning system on conflicts. Participants will reflect on how to improve the system via the contribution of local and regional authorities, in particular:

  • how to articulate the different levels of public governance and apply the principle of subsidiarity in the prevention and management of conflicts and in the treatment of post-conflict situations;
  • The role local authorities should play.

The second panel will draw on the many post-conflict situations encountered on the continent and discuss the role that local authorities play or could play when returning to peace. Participants will develop proposals by answering the following questions:

  • How can we ensure that all the actors involved are indeed stakeholders in the peace talks?
  • What mechanisms should be put in place to ensure that the return to peace is a shared responsibility?
  • What specific role should women and youth play in building peace and harmony between groups and communities?
  • What initiatives should be taken at the local authority level so that the return of tensions can be avoided?

Proceedings will be chaired by Mr. Léandre Nzué, Mayor of Libreville (Gabon) and President of UCLG Africa in the presence of presidents of national associations of local and regional governments, representatives of the African Union, representatives of international organizations and academics, amongst others.

It should be noted that the African Day of Decentralization and Local Development was decreed by the African Union in 2012 at its first celebration.

Since 2014, African heads of state and government have adopted the African charter on the values and principles of decentralization, local governance and local development. This charter recognizes local and regional authorities as privileged partners of national governments in the promotion of the well-being of their populations.

The media are invited to attend the webinar (registration by return email) or by following the live webcast on UCLG Africa’s Facebook page, Monday 10 August 2020 from 2 pm to 4:30 pm.

For further information, please contact:

Gaëlle Yomi: Tel: + 212 610 56 71 45

 E-mail: gyomi@uclga.org

 

African Local Governments saddened by the death of Dr. Alioune Badiane

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Local Africa mourns the death of one of Africa’s most influential advocates of the New Urban Agenda, Dr. Alioune Badiane. During the memorial organized and anchored by UN-Habitat, held on the 4th of August 2020, members of the international development fraternity came together to celebrate the life and achievements of Dr Alioune Badiane.

Read the tribute of UCLG Africa Secretary General, Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi , here.

Theme of the African Day of Decentralization and Local Development (ADD) 2020: “The Contribution of Local Authorities to conflict prevention and Peacekeeping on the Continent”

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The African Day of Decentralization and Local Development (ADD) is celebrated on August 10 of each year. For 2020, the African Union has chosen the following theme: «The contribution of local authorities to conflict prevention and peacekeeping on the Continent “.

This theme is inspiring from the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the decision of the Heads of State in declaring 2020 as the year on “Silencing the Guns on the continent: creating conducive conditions Africa’s development”.

The Department of Political Affairs of the African Union Commission in the verbal note specifies the sub-themes that accompany the celebration of ADD 2020.

“Sub-theme 1: “The participation of Africa’s local and regional authorities in African Union’s conflict early warning system“.

Sub-theme 2: “The contribution of local and regional authorities in Africa to the reconstruction of peace and harmony between communities in post-conflict situations“.

As every year, UCLG Africa invites the local and regional authorities of the continent to mark this celebration.

Consult the concept note on the theme and sub-themes here. 

 

2nd Meeting of the Africa-Europe Committee and of the UCLG Africa working group, in support of the drafting of the “Charter of Local Authorities for Gender Equality in Africa”

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Tuesday, 28 July 2020 was the second meeting of the Africa-Europe committee and the UCLG Africa working group, which was held to support the drafting of the “Charter of Local and Regional Authorities of Africa for Gender Equality. “The online meeting was organized by UCLG Africa’s Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa (REFELA) in collaboration with CEMR/Platforma and UCLG, the other stakeholders of the project and signatories of the Marrakech Pact for the promotion of local equality.

The drafting of the Charter forms part of the implementation of the “Marrakech Europe-Africa Pact for Local Equality,” which aims to make progress on issues of gender equality in Africa. The Pact was adopted at the 8th edition of the Africities Summit in Marrakech in November 2018.

The work chaired by Mrs Macoura Dao Coulibaly, President of REFELA, was attended by some 60 members and participants from Africa, Europe, including other continents and countries such as Peru. Opening speeches were made by Mr Léandre Nzue, Mayor of Libreville in Gabon, President of UCLG Africa, Mrs Thembisile Nkadimeng, Co-President of UCLG, Mrs Emilia Saïz, Secretary General of UCLG, Mr Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa, Mr Frédéric Vallier, Secretary General of CEMR-PLatforma and Mr Emil Broberg, President of CEMR’s Standing Committee for Equality.

M. Léandre Nzué, the president of UCLG Africa, emphasized the need to make the charter a reference guide for local and regional authorities on the continent withthe “objective being to arrive at a final text to be submitted to African local elected representatives at the next Africities summit in November 2021“; this to be achieved by encouraging the continuation of the partnership between the 3 organizations of UCLG Africa and its network, REFELA, CEMR-Platforma and UCLG, and to bring the draft charter to completion.

Mrs. Thembisile Nkadimeng stressed the importance of the continent’s local and regional authorities in adopting the charter. “I am convinced that the Charter of Local and Regional Authorities for Gender Equality in Africa is now more necessary than ever, if we want to adopt a path towards generational equality, where women’s leadership is no longer an exception but the new norm. The time has come to ensure the full inclusion and participation of women and girls in the political and social fabric of cities and regions. Equality, especially gender equality, must be placed at the heart of all development processes to ensure that decisions are made conscientiously, without forgetting half of the world’s population when it comes to making decisions that affect us all,” she explained.  (Read More).