On May 29 and 30, 2017, the 16^th Session of the Executive Committee of UCLG Africa (www.UCLGA.org) was held at the hotel “La Tour Hassan” in Rabat (Morocco). The proceedings were chaired by Mr. Hugues Ngouélondélé, Mayor and MP for the city of Brazzaville (Congo), and Vice President of UCLG Africa for the Central Africa region.

The agenda included the following items:  

• Approval of the 2016 accounts;
• Evaluation of the first phase of the implementation of the strategic partnership with the European Commission (2015-2017) and the prospects of this partnership for a second phase;
• Impact on local government of the agendas adopted by the international community in 2015-2016, including Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, the Climate Change Agenda, and the new Urban Agenda.

The committee approved the accounts of UCLG Africa with revenue standing at 4,595,235 Euros and expenses standing at 4,050,974 Euros, resulting in a closing balance of 544,261 Euros. The committee gave full discharge to the Secretary General for his management in 2016.

Regarding the strategic partnership with the European Commission, the committee met with representatives of the European Commission who confirmed their support to ensure that local authorities in Africa become fully-fledged development actors, as well as support to UCLG Africa in its mission to represent and strengthen the capacities of these authorities.

With regard to international agendas, the focus was placed on the commitment of local authorities to “localize” these agendas and build corresponding plans for their territories. Emphasis was placed on how to enable African communities to access climate finance.                         

The committee also received the report from the Mayor of Brazzaville on preparations for the 8^th edition of the Africities summit to be held in Brazzaville in Congo from December 04 to December 08, 2018.

Finally, the committee expressed its concern about the situation of UCLG Africa’s President, Mr. Khalifa Ababacar Sall, Mayor of Dakar, who has been detained at Rebeuss Prison since March 2017. The committee has decided to continue to sensitize African decision-makers and African and international opinion to scrupulously respect the law in the handling of this case, including the presumption of innocence; and to avoid causing the elected mayor of Dakar further degrading and unworthy treatment. 

The Executive Committee of UCLG Africa is the body responsible for the political leadership of UCLG Africa between sessions of the General Assembly of UCLG. The Executive Committee is made up of 16 members, 15 members representing each of the 5 regions of the continent (with 3 locally elected representatives from each of the 5 regions), and the President of the Network of Local Women in Africa (REFELA). The Executive Committee is elected for a three-year term established since the last General Assembly of UCLG Africa held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on December 02, 2015. During the General Assembly, Mr. Khalifa Sall, Mayor of Dakar, Senegal, was elected to the Presidency of UCLG Africa and chaired the sessions of the Executive Committee. In his absence, a substitute was designated from amongst the Vice-Presidents. The Presidency of the 16^th Session of the Executive Committee of UCLG Africa was ensured by Mr. Hugues Ngouélondélé, Mayor and MP for Brazzaville, and Vice-President of UCLG Africa for the Central Africa Region.