Gabon Senate advances local powers transfer
Senators meet in Libreville to assess decentralisation progress and prepare for nationwide field missions.
Gabon's Senate is holding an information and exchange workshop in Libreville from November 5 to November 6 to review the decentralisation policy. The meeting, held at the Senate's provisional headquarters, brings together local elected officials and institutional actors to discuss the legal framework, implementation challenges, and future prospects of transferring powers to local authorities. This initiative aims to bring administration closer to citizens and empower local communities for territorial development.
The workshop's first day focused on the historical, political, and legal foundations of decentralisation, with academics tracing its evolution since 1990 and presenting key legal instruments. Difficulties in applying these laws were highlighted, alongside the issue of financing. The state plans to allocate between 5 and 10 percent of its budget to local authorities to ensure they have the necessary resources for their responsibilities and to improve local services.
The discussions are also preparing for a mission by senators to Gabon's interior to evaluate how local authorities are adopting the decentralisation policy. Medoux Yongui, deputy director of the Local Authority Equalisation Fund, addressed the perspectives for implementing the policy, particularly concerning the financial constraints faced by many local governments. The outcomes of these workshops are intended to enable local elected officials to better manage their territories.
Why it mattersGabon's local elected officials and citizens in territorial communities are directly affected by the progress and challenges in transferring powers and resources through the decentralisation policy.