On September 29, 2026, in Addis Abeba, Djibouti's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa, Abdi Mahamoud Eybe, signed the African Charter on Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance, and Local Development. This charter, adopted by the African Union in June 2014, aims to strengthen local governance, promote competence transfer to local authorities, and foster territorial development.
The charter came into effect on January 14, 2019, after achieving the required 15 ratifications for continental application. By signing the charter, Djibouti becomes the 19th country to formally commit to its principles, which emphasize decentralization as a core aspect of development, democracy, and state consolidation policies. The charter encourages increased citizen participation in local public affairs, with a focus on women, youth, and marginalized groups.
A key principle of the charter is the effective transfer of state competencies to the closest territorial level to citizens, accompanied by necessary financial and human resources. It also stresses regular accountability by local elected officials and administrations, as well as increased representation of women in decision-making bodies. For countries that have ratified the charter, a follow-up mechanism is established, requiring a report every three years to the African Union Commission on progress made in implementing decentralization policies.
The African Union has also designated August 10 of each year as the African Decentralization and Local Development Day to maintain mobilization around these issues. For Djibouti, the signature is an important step but does not yet constitute ratification. The treaty must be submitted to the National Assembly for authorization of its ratification before the official instrument is deposited with the African Union, giving the commitment full legal scope in the internal order.
Djibouti already has an institutional framework and experience in decentralization, led by the Ministry Delegate in charge of Decentralization. This process is part of Vision 2035, particularly through the objective of reducing territorial disparities between the capital and the interior regions. The ADIL program, dedicated to supporting decentralization and local initiatives, is a key instrument of this policy, having supported the institutional strengthening of the five interior regions and the financing of proximity projects.
In addition to ADIL, the PROGOUV project, dedicated to the governance of the city of Djibouti, focuses on improving urban management in the communes of Ras-Dika, Boulaos, and Balbala. It also provides for the accompaniment of projects carried by civil society and neighborhood associations, integrating the question of women's participation in local decision-making processes. A law from March 6, 2024, provides a legal framework recognizing civil society organizations as actors in local development, with mechanisms for support and a digital platform allowing them access to financing opportunities.
The signing of the African Charter consolidates a process already underway in Djibouti and opens the way to a new stage: transforming this political commitment into ratification, then continuing the harmonization of national devices with African principles of local governance, transparency, citizen participation, and equity. The country now needs to pursue the ratification process and implement the charter's principles at the national level, ensuring effective decentralization and local development.
Key points
- Djibouti signs the African Charter on decentralization, marking a commitment to inclusive governance and local development.
- The charter aims to strengthen local governance, promote competence transfer to local authorities, and foster territorial development.
- Djibouti becomes the 19th country to formally commit to the charter's principles, which emphasize decentralization and citizen participation.
