Strengthening Local Governance in Africa: A Call to Action

The President of the Nouakchott region, Fatima Bint Abdel Malek, has emphasized the need for the implementation of the Supreme Council for Territorial Communities. This council was approved at the General Assembly of Heads of State of the African Union held in June 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

During her meeting with Moussa Faki Mohamed, head of the African Union Commission, Bint Abdel Malek presented a message from Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Sheikh Ghazouani, the rotating president of the African Union. This meeting highlighted the importance of local governance in achieving sustainable development goals.

As the President of the United Cities and Local Governments in Africa, Bint Abdel Malek noted that the approval of the Supreme Council for Territorial Communities is a significant step forward. This move is similar to the United Nations’ recent adoption of an international advisory group focused on local and regional groups. The goal of this group is to improve the role of local governments in achieving sustainable development goals, as outlined in the Charter for the Future.

The Chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mohamed, expressed his interest in local and regional African groups. He emphasized the crucial role that united cities and local governments play in achieving the goals and agenda of the African Union. Mohamed also promised to strengthen the role of local governments in the programs and plans of the African Union Commission.