Libyan mayors on a study tour to Morocco
UCLG Africa and the National Association of Libyan Municipalities are organizing a study tour to Morocco for a delegation of Libyan Mayors from 13-21 September, 2019. The delegation, led by the President of the Association, Mr Hussein Khalefah Edawadi Daiab, will be comprised of mayors from the municipalities of Zlitne, Zintan, Azawya South, Al Bawaniss and Daraj.
The study tour aims to give Libyan mayors a better understanding of the vision, mission, activities and initiatives of UCLG Africa, as well as to present Morocco’s advancement in decentralization, local governance and territorial development in Africa.
Libyan municipalities face a challenging, difficult and complex context due to the political crisis and insecurity that has plagued the country since 2011. Under these circumstances, more than ever, they need multidimensional, multi-level and accompanying support at all levels to anchor stability and peace enabling them to meet their responsibilities in providing basic services to their population and to ensure safe and resilient cities. It is essential for Libyan local authorities to become more integrated into the ecosystem of African local governments through UCLG Africa, the umbrella organization for local and regional governments in the African continent.
Over the course of the week, the delegation will participate in working and exchange meetings in Rabat and Ifrane with UCLG Africa’s partners associated with this study trip. These include: The Ombudsman Institution of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Ministry of the Interior of the Kingdom of Morocco/DGCL, the Secretariat of State for Housing, the City of Rabat, the Association of Moroccan Regions (ARM), the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Prefectural and Provincial Councils (AMPCPP), the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Community Councils (AMPCC) and the University Al Akhawayn in Ifrane.
The delegation will hold working meetings at UCLG Africa’s headquarters with the various departments of the organization. They will have an audience with the President of the Rabat Communal Council, The Ombudsman Institution of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Presidents of the Associations of Local Government of Morocco, the President of the University Al Akhawayn of Ifrane and the President of the Ifrane Communal Council. The mayors will also be received by Mrs. Fatna Elk’hiel, Secretary of State for Housing, President of the Aarbawa Communal Council, Vice-President of the Network of Local Elected Women of Africa (REFELA) for the North African Region and President of REFELA-Morocco.
On the Libyan side, this visit is in line with the ambitions and objectives of the “Nicosia Initiative.” Initiated in 2015 by the European Committee of the Regions and with the support and accompaniment of several partners in Europe, the initiative aims to establish a close political link and maintain a strong relationship with the cities of Libya. This relationship has the dual objective of contributing to the improvement of public services in Libya and helping Libyan cities reintegrate into the international community.
For UCLG Africa, this is an opportunity to strengthen cooperation, partnership and solidarity with the National Association of Libyan Municipalities and with local authorities and territorial managers in the country. It is also an opportunity to identify the priorities, expectations and needs of Libyan municipalities, particularly in terms of learning, training and capacity building and to enable the African Local Government Academy (ALGA) of UCLG Africa to support them.
For further information please contact:
Gaëlle Yomi: Tel: + 212 610 56 71 45
Email: gyomi@uclga.org
