Africa urged to hasten decentralization to achieve SDGs

NAIROBI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The umbrella organization for African local governments on Tuesday urged the continent to increase uptake of decentralization in order for the region to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) of Africa, told Xinhua that decentralization and devolved governments help bring critical services such as health and education closer to citizens.

"Decentralization should therefore be a priority for African governments as it will help the continent to achieve many of SDG targets," Mbassi said during the Regional Strategic meeting of UCLG for the Eastern Africa Region.

The two-day event aims to take stock of the progress made in decentralization in Africa.

In 2014, African leaders adopted the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development.

Mbassi said that so far only three countries have signed and ratified the charter, and another 12 countries have signed but not ratified the continent-wide agreement that aims to promote a devolved system of governance.

He noted that adoption of the African charter will help create convergence of devolved governance systems across the region and help empower the residents of the continent.

He added that decentralization helps transfer power and resources from national and sub-national governments.

"This is good for the economy as it helps in the redistribution of resources among all citizens of a country," Mbassi said. Enditem