An international Seminar on Decentralization and Regionalization in Africa: Implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali is organized by AU representation office for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL) from 10th – 12th April 2018 in Bamako, Republic of Mali.

The overall objectives of the meeting among others are:
- Create a platform for experience sharing on decentralization / regionalization between Malian actors and those from other countries in terms of the design, feasibility, opportunities, challenges and outcomes,
- Allow signatory parties to the Agreement; political actors, traditional leaders to materialize and consolidate a convergent vision of regionalization

In his openings remarks, the High Representative of the AU for Mali and the Sahel and head of MISAHEL, expressed his hope that these 3 days of reflection and debates will contribute to deepening the concept of decentralization, its institutional framework, the way of management of the Communities. He further expresses the debates will allow the authorities of Mali to master the appropriate choices for better local governance.

AU Commissioner for Political Affairs hailed the leadership of the AU High Representative for Mali and the partnership he has established with the German Embassy, ​​MINUSMA, the Swiss Cooperation and which has allowed the holding of this important seminar. Ms. Minata Samaté Cessouma notes that the Bamako meeting is an opportunity for our country to draw on the good practices and experiences of other AU Member States in order to enrich its decentralization process. She also praised the efforts of our authorities to strengthen peace through local development, adding that decentralization, beyond its technical or institutional aspects, is a framework for citizen participation in the efforts of local authorities. development. "The objectives of our Bamako meeting are in line with the AU Agenda 2063, which advocates the achievement of Africa's structural transformation and aspiration 6 of this agenda, which envisions an Africa whose development is people-oriented, especially women and youth, who care about the well-being of children, "said Minata Samaté Cessouma, adding that with the Agreement for peace and reconciliation resulting from the Algiers process, Mali has embarked on a new stage in its decentralization process.

In his opening speech, the Minister of Local Authorities of Mali, Hon. Alassane Ag Hamed Moussa recalled that decentralization was the main element of the state reform process that had been going on for several years. According to Alassane Ag Hamed Moussa, the commitments to improve the institutional framework of the territorial communities, stemming from the agreement for peace and reconciliation, are a continuation of the general states of decentralization held in October 2013. " They reflect the will of the President of the Republic, H. E.Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, to make the management of communities an instrument of socio-economic development and peace.
For further information, please contact Mr. Issaka Garba Abdou, head of STC8 Secretariat at GarbaAbdoui@africa-union.org.