STATEMENT BY H.E. AMB. BANKOLE ADEOYE
COMMISSIONER FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS, PEACE AND SECURITY
AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

ON THE OCCASION OF THE COMMEMORATION OF THE AFRICA DAY OF DECENTRALISATION AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

UNDER THE THEME:
“Empowered Local Governments for Sustainable Water and Sanitation: Advancing Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities and Territories towards Agenda 2063”

10 AUGUST 2026

Fellow Africans,
As we commemorate the Africa Day of Decentralization and Local Development, on behalf of His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, I convey warm greetings to all Africans, local government leaders, public servants and communities whose daily efforts practically contribute to democratic governance and inclusive development.

Given that 10 August of every year is dedicated to the Commemoration of the Africa Day of Decentralization and local governance development as enshrine in Article 20 of the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development, this Day affirms a simple truth that the Africa We Want must be built to advance the lives and wellbeing of our people.

This year’s theme is especially timely as It aligns with the 2026 AU Theme of the Year, titled “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” and with the Africa Water Vision 2063, an AU Policy endorsed by our Heads of State and Government.

Fellow Africans,
Water and sanitation are not merely sectoral services, they are matters of dignity, public health, equality, climate resilience and human security. Above all, their delivery depends on capable local institutions that can plan settlements, maintain infrastructure, regulate services, protect water sources, and respond to community needs.

In this regard, the AU Agenda 2063, including its Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan, rightly places inclusive growth, democratic governance, people-driven development and resilient communities at the heart of continental transformation and by this, the African Union has steadily built the continental architecture required for this task through the Decentralization Charter, adopted in Malabo in 2014 which advocates for subsidiarity, citizen participation, accountability, equitable local development and the transfer of adequate powers and resources to local authorities.

Fellow Africans,
When local governments deliver safe water, sanitation, adequate housing and other essential services equitably, they strengthen public confidence, social cohesion and the social contract between the government and the people. By this, the first line of conflict prevention is often not a peace negotiation, but a capable, inclusive, accountable and adequately resourced local government.

I therefore call upon all Member States to accelerate the signature, ratification, domestication and effective implementation of the Decentralization Charter and ensure that local mandates are supported by predictable resources, professional capacity, reliable data and effective oversight.

I also invite Regional Economic Communities, associations of local and regional governments, development and financial partners, civil society, academia and the private sector to align their support with continental priorities to strengthen local government capacity.

On this Africa Day of Decentralization and Local Development, let us together make every African city, district, municipality and village a place of dignity, opportunity, effective service and lasting peace.

May God bless Africa and her great citizens!

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