New UN report calls for greater decentralisation

A new United Nations report has urged the Angolan authorities to transfer more power to local communities. The joint study by the UN Development Programme and Angola's ministry of territorial administration has called for greater decentralisation of power. The report noted an "enormous need" for local-level staff to provide basic services and promote development in areas such as agriculture, commerce, transportation and housing. Much of Angola's infrastructure was destroyed during the protracted struggle between government troops and the rebel group, UNITA. Since the end of the war in 2002, officials have come under increasing pressure to speed up social service delivery. The report was based on information collected from 16 provinces, 47 municipalities and 47 districts across the country. While it acknowledged steps taken by the government to empower local municipalities, one of the concerns raised was that the majority of administrative staff worked for provincial and municipal administrations, but just one percent worked for communities' administrations. In parts of the country where local communities had seen increased empowerment, administrative capacity was seriously lacking. The over-concentration of power at provincial level had hindered the ability of municipalities and "communes" to respond to immediate challenges, particularly reconstruction and the integration of thousands of internally displaced persons. "Local administration must improve its administrative, management and negotiation capacities, as well as the capacity to promote citizens participation ... thus allowing the creation of adequate partnerships and synergies inherent to good governance," the study noted. The report also highlighted the under-representation of women in local government and suggested that an affirmative action policy be established, with quotas or targets to ensure that by 2005 at least 30 percent of positions in local government were held by women. A shift of functions from central and provincial governments to municipal administrations, and then to future locally elected governments, was suggested. A system of accountability for local administrations, including audits and budget preparation, as well as incentives for attracting skilled staff should be set up. A number of recommendations were made for reforming provincial governments and municipal administrations, such as allowing greater flexibility in structuring, and more leeway for civil servants to adapt to a wide diversity of local cultural, social and economic conditions. Since traditional leaders played an important role in society, it was urged that they be given greater responsibility, such as the management of communal land, reform of provincial governments, and conservation of cultural heritage. Despite having widespread support, traditional authority was not recognised in the country's constitution.