At the end of the civil war in 1994, the international community initiated various cooperative programs with the Rwandan transitional government, to assist in a comprehensive rebuilding of the country of which decentralization was deemed an important part. In 2005, a territorial administrative reform was initiated, reinforcing service delivery mechanisms for community participation and the transfer of resources. Rwanda is now composed of 5 provinces (Intara), 30 districts (Uturere), 416 sectors (Imirenge), 2148 cells or groups of households (Utugari). The capital of Kigali has a special city status in addition to being one of the provinces. Provinces are headed by governors appointed by the president, district assemblies as well as the villages and cell levels have directly elected assemblies for a period of 5 years. These assemblies were most recently elected in February and March 2011 in two of the 5 provinces under supervision of the National Election Commission (NEC).
Â
The decentralization was part of a larger policy plan adopted in 2000 in order to fight poverty and ensure sustainable socio-economic development. In 2007 a strategic framework was developed to support the policy plan of which decentralization was deemed an important part. The new framework was intended to redefine responsibilities for localities, aid them in the development of financial autonomy and sustainability. Furthermore it created strong legal and constitutional structures. In addition to the 2007 framework, an implementation program was developed in 2008. The practical execution of this theoretical framework is in a large part supported by external donors. The creation of the documents took place through cooperation between various stakeholders ensuring involvement and commitment. The involvement of the Rwandese Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA) shows the strong commitment of localities to improve their own positions. Among other things RALGA seeks to be involved when legislation effecting local governments is drafted.
Â
The successful presidential elections of 2010 and continued development through projects in fields such as social and financial accountability show that the countries commitment to local empowerment is still high. The role that the Rwandan central government puts in local government as a vehicle for national progress, provides possibilities to reduce poverty and increase empowerment on the lowest policy levels in cooperation with local populations. These goals took shape in the recent Vision 2020 Umurenge Program which specifically states the use of decentralized government for poverty eradication and social growth.
|
