UCLG notes the installation of the UEMOA Council of the Local Governments

UCLG notes the installation of the UEMOA Council of the Local Governments, an important advance for dialogue between local and regional authorities and regional institutions in Africa.

Thanks to the mobilization of the national local governments associations (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte D’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo), and with the support of the Commission of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), the Council of Local Government (CCT) was officially installed on April 11, 2012 in Niamey (Niger). The CCT constitutes an important step in the recognition of the place of local governments within the Union.

This initiative was supported by UCLG and UCLGA through the project “Support to decentralization in the developing countries” co-financed by the European Union. The different speakers spoke highly of the work of the precursors of the UEMOA among the economic communities of the African continent. The President of the Commission of the UEMOA, Mr. Cheikhe Hadjibou Soumare, stressed that the CCT will contribute to reinforcing the partnership between the various levels of decision making (regional, national and local). The Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger, Mr. Brigi Rafini, emphasized the interaction between the dynamics at work at ground level and higher up which will make it possible to contribute to strengthening the regional integration process.

The installation was followed by the first CCT General Assembly, in which the draft constitution was adopted. Mr. Elong Mbassi, UCLGA Secretary General, presented a report on the situation of decentralization in West Africa to the General Assembly, along with the roadmap for the CCT over the next 24 months developed with the support of UCLG.

The General Assembly adopted the road map and designated the CCT Bureau:

President : François AMICHIA from Côte d’Ivoire, Mayor of Treichville and President of the Union des villes et communes de Côte d’Ivoire (UVICOCI)

1st Vice-president : Soulé ALAGBE from Bénin, mayor of Parakou, and President of the Association nationale des maires du Bénin (ANCB)

2nd Vice-president : Boubacar BAH from Mali, Mayor of Commune V, district of Bamako, and President of the Association des Municipalités du Mali (AMM)