Burundi is committed to promoting the African Charter of the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development

On 14 February 2017, the Secretary General of UCLG Africa, Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi was received in audience by the President of the Senate, Honorable Révérien Ndikuriyo and the 2nd Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, HEM. Joseph Butore.

The Secretary General of UCLG Africa insisted to express, to these two personalities, the recognition of the community of African territorial authorities for the role of the Government of Burundi by being the second Member State of the African Union to have signed and ratified the African Charter of the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development. The Charter adopted by the head of States and Governments of the African Union in June 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; they also decided the creation of a High Council of Local Authorities as an advisory body of the Union, the implementation should be put in place soon.

Mr. Mbassi has also requested the contribution of these authorities in views that Burundi agrees to play the role of champion in the promotion of the Charter to other Member countries of the African Union. The goal is to obtain signatures and ratification of at least 15 Member States by the end of 2017, perquisite for the Charter to become a legal instrument of the African Union.

In response to this, the authorities have confirmed the commitment of Burundi to promote the Charter and to work with UCLG Africa to accelerate its ratification. For its part, the 2nd Vice-president of the Republic proved to be particularly interested by the work done by UCLG Africa relative to the ranking of African countries according to the environment created for Local Authorities action and initiatives.