DECENTRALIZATION IN BURKINA FASO

Burkina Faso's commitment to making decentralization a catalyst for local development led to the establishment of deliberative bodies in 351 communes following the municipal elections of April 23 2006. Following the municipal elections of December 2 2012 these bodies were renewed for a new term which should ensure greater social ownership of the decentralization process. However in many communes the expected changes are hardly perceptible. Worse still the key players - the municipal councillors - do not demonstrate a clear understanding of their roles. An analysis of the decentralization process in the rural commune of Namissiguima in the province of Yatenga reveals a low level of ownership of decentralization by local councillors characterized by a lack of knowledge of the basic texts on decentralization a lack of social accountability and non-participation in municipal council sessions. Illiteracy lack of training and modest session allowances explain these shortcomings in the decentralization process.