The 7th meeting of the East Africa Local Government Forum kicked off on Monday 7 February with delegates from across the East Africa region and the globe in attendance.

A hybrid event, also available to view online, the welcome comments were provided by HW Maximillian Iranque, Lord Mayor of Arusha Municipal Council, the host city; Hon Said Mtanda, Arusha District Commissioner; Cllr. Innocent Uwimana, Chairperson, EALGA and CLGF Board Member; and Rev Mpho MW Moruakgomo, CLGF Chairperson. 

EU important partner to local government

Paying tribute to the European Union, the CLGF Chairperson said that the EU is an important partner for local government and gave thanks for the support it is providing to the meeting, via CLGF. The first meeting to allow local government partners to discuss solutions for the recovery from COVID-19, he asked participants to share their vision for local government in the East Africa region.

There were greetings from a number of local government ministers including Hon Denise Ndadaye, First Vice President, Burundi Senate, Burundi; Hon Ernest Silinde, Deputy Minister, President’s Office, Regional and Local Government Administration; and Hon Adan Mohamed, Chair EAC Council of Ministers/Cabinet Secretary, MEACA, Kenya.

EAC Deputy Secretary-General provides keynote

The keynote was provided by Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, Deputy Secretary-General of the East Africa Community. He told the audience that working with local government was not a choice, it is something "we have to do". He said that the EAC was already working with local governments, but had to strengthen ties with the local government associations towards achieving better collaboration to fast track the integration process.

Moderated by CLGF Secretary-General, Ms Lucy Slack, the second session looked at the relationship between the EAC (East Africa Community) and the EALGA and EALGF – the first being the body that represents local government and national associations in the region; and the second, widening its membership, to include all stakeholders within the sector. The panel explored the context, background and opportunities for collaboration between the LRG and the EAC with Mrs. Gertrude Rose Gamwera-Aijuka, Secretary General, EALGA, describing the progress made and giving an overview of the EAC EALGA Memorandum of Understanding. Prof Riziki Shemdoe, Permanent Secretary, Tanzania and Chair of the EALGF, detailed the recommendations of the 6^th EALGF meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda; and Mr Steven Niyonzima, Director of Social Sectors Secretary General, East Africa Community gave a perspective on the role of Local and County Governments within the current EAC Strategic Priorities and Actions for 2022/2023.

Regional integration - policies and priorities

The third session, moderated by CLGF Programme Manager, Claire Frost, focused on global perspectives and experience on regional integration and development policy and priorities, with perspectives on the United Nations, Commonwealth and European Union. The session brought together the UCLG Secretary General, Emilia Siaz, CEMR-PLATFORMA Director, Marlene Simone and CLGF Secretary General, Lucy Slack.

After lunch, Session 4: Empowering Devolved and Decentralised Sub-national Governments, moderated by H.E Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, Governor Makueni County

looked at the role of local and county governments in effective East African integration. This included a brief overview on county and local government preparedness for post covid economic recovery and its contribution to the local and regional agenda by H.E. Yulita Mitei, Deputy Governor Northern Rift, Kenya; a description of the EA Legislative Assembly: Linking the Regional, National and Sub National Legislative Assemblies from a representative of Speaker EALA, Hon. Adam Omar Kimbisa; a presentation on strengthening representation and improving co-ordination through the Organ of Council of Ministers from Mr. Kevit Desai, Principal Secretary Ministry EAC, Kenya; finishing with Mr Steven Nuyonzima, Director of Social Sectors, EAC talking about the key steps and strategic actions for implementing the EAC-EALGA MoU work for the partners.  

The event is an excellent example of effective collaboration by a number of organisations, whose teams are working hard to ensure the event is a success: the EALGA, the Tanzania Ministry responsible for Regional Administration and the CLGF. The event and important discussions continue tomorrow. Follow proceedings through the twitter accounts of:

EALGA @EastGovernments and CLGF @clgf_news