Civil society organisation leaders from Cameroon and some African countries, some local council officials and other non-State actors are acquiring knowledge in Yaounde within the framework of an international on decentralisation in order to effectively contribute to the ongoing decentralisation process and contribute in boosting local development. The conference that started yesterday, February 15 to end on February 18, is organised by the Bafoussam-based ZENU Network under the theme, “Decentralisation, legitimacy and governance: power mechanisms and decision-making at local level”.  Collaborating with ZENU Network to organise the Yaounde conference are the All Africa Ministerial conference on Decentralisation and Local Development (AMCOD) with the supported of the European Union Delegation in Cameroon.

The conference is placed under the patronage of Cameroon’s Minister of State for Territorial Administration and Decentralisation (MINATD), Marafa Hamidou Yaya, who was represented at the official opening ceremony by the Director of Decentralised Regional and Local Authorities, Etienne Owono Owono. Speaking while opening the conference, Mr Owono Owono said it was timely, stating that MINATD was patronising the event to show government’s determination to ensure the success of the ongoing decentralisation process. The government of Cameroon has embarked on the second generation of transfer of powers and accompanying resources to councils this year as a practical implementation of decentralisation in the country.

The Coordinator of ZENU Network, Flaubert Djateng said the network was a civil society organisation that brings together 24 members working in different sectors to improve the living standards of the population. He said the network is working on four key projects, stating that the one that concerns the Yaounde conference is promoting local governments and building the capacities of non-State actors in the decentralisation process. The Head of the European Union Delegation in Cameroon, Raul Mateus Paula said civil society organisations were important partners with government on matters of decentralisation. He disclosed that since 2008, the European Union’s direct support to civil society organisations in Cameroon amounts to 20 million Euros (over FCFA 13.1 billion). The President of the United Towns and Councils of Cameroon, Emile Andze Andze on his part, said the conference is an occasion to share ideas on political and societal transformation. He said the conference was a time of dialogue on local democracy, governance and seeking ways of tackling challenges.

The conference participants will acquire knowledge on main themes such as: decentralisation and local powers; existing governance systems: challenges and potentialities; as well as decentralisation stakeholders and power mechanisms.