NPGM '06: Decentralization Entry Point Presentation
Abdi Yussuf Duale (Boobe), APD Programme Coordinator
- Decentralisation was the central issue of the armed struggle
against the dictatorial regime of Siyad Barre
- Somaliland decentralisation process:
- The Boorome National Charter in 1993
- The constitutional referendum in 2001
- The establishment of the political parties
- The election of the local councils in 2002
Key Issues
- Asymmetric relationship between the local and the central government
- Lack of significant transfer of political, fiscal and administrative
powers to the local councils
- Undefined jurisdiction and unclear relationship between the
central, regional and district authorities
- Border demarcation between the districts and regions
- The provision of services and other public goods to the rural
areas and nomads
- The effectiveness of the newly elected councils
Activities and Achievements
Revision of the Regions and Districts Law: Since its creation
in early 2004, Law 23 has become a critical cornerstone in the debate
over the central control of Somaliland's councils, prompting the
Working Group to conduct a thorough review of the draft law and
to provide Parliament with a comprehensive list of proposed amendments.
Although the law never made it before the old House, in July 2006,
it was unanimously ratified by the new House, with several new provisions,
including granting authority to councils to propose the dismissal
of ineffectual District Executive Secretaries and greater room for
municipal authorities to levy their own taxes. The same law was
also ratified the Guurti in October 2006, with some modifications.
Revisions of the Hargeysa City Charter: Following the Ministry
of Interior's heavy-handed dismissal of the draft city charter drawn
up by a UN-Habitat consultant, the Working Group reviewed the draft
and forwarded a list of proposed changes to the Parliament's Sub-Committee
on Internal Affairs. Today, the document is among 22 bills left
over from the old House for the attention of its successors - although
no timeframe has yet been set for its debate.
Creation of unified council bylaws: Nearly four years after
their election, Somaliland's councils continue to suffer from insufficient
and confusing internal regulations. In May 2005, the Working Group
initiated a series of workshops to seek the inputs of councillors
and local communities for a ministerial decree establishing a series
of formal council bylaws and procedures. Unfortunately, the workshops'
findings - as well as a national conference planned to ratify them
- were overshadowed by preparations for the parliamentary elections.
Workshops to review legislation: One of the DfP's key accomplishments
has been the adoption of a more open and participatory approach
by the new Parliament for canvassing public opinions on draft legislation.
In early 2005, the APD organised two high-profile workshops that
led to several important recommendations on the controversial Land
Reform Law - including the creation of Land Use Regulation and Planning
Commissions - and since April 2006 two further House sub-committees
have approached the APD to organise public workshops on other draft
laws.
Training of council leaders: Since becoming the lead partner
in UN-Habitat's Good Local Governance and Leadership Training Programme
in April 2004, the APD has played a key role in training Somaliland's
new local leaders, including running the programme in Hargeysa,
Ceerigaabo and Burco, holding public consultations to lay the ground
for action planning exercises in the three towns, assisting the
Universities of Amoud and Hargeysa to translate 14 training manuals
on the roles and duties of local councillors, and developing an
hour-long play on local governance, which was played to over 2,500
people in seven towns.
Recommendations
- Long-term training for the local government officials and staff,
possibly including on-the-job training.
- The Somaliland government and the Parliament to design more
formal policies defining local government roles and operations,
as well as more specific definitions of local government structures
and responsibilities in the national constitution.
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