African City Summit Underway In Dakar

Thursday, 06 December 2012 14:21

(JollofNews) – Mayors and local government officials from across Africa’s cities are currently gathered in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, for a five-day confab which aims at promoting greater cross-border trade within the continent.

The conference is the 6th edition of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) summit, and the Senegalese capital is hosting it for the first time.

The theme of this year’s event is “Building Africa from its territories: what challenges for the Local governments?”

The summit, which is also referred to as the African Cities Summit, runs from 4-8 December, and in attendance are city mayors, local government actors and other partners; it is being help with the goal of promoting trust, trade, tourism, technology and training.

It also has the aims of creating twin city programs and link mayors, cities, and other locally appointed and elected officials from around the world.

Tarayia Ole Kores, Chairman of UCLGA, at the opening secession emphasised the need to reinforce the idea of African unity through the promotion of grassroots development.

He said in doing so it was necessary to revisit the history of the African continent, and he lamented, among others, the continuing crisis in Mali which has a historical and touristic significance in the West Africa sub region.

Three former African heads of state are attending the conference also called 'Africities'.

Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Pedro Pires of Cape Verde and Nicéphore Soglo of Benin, were at the opening session in Dakar, which was chaired by Senegalese President Macky Sall.

And about 500 participants are attending.

Also in attendance is the mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, who expressed delight at the hundreds of mayors and elected local government officials at the conference which he said signalled solidarity with Africa.

He described himself as a mayor of a city that owes much to Africa in culture owing to the contributions of thousands of Africans who have stayed or passed through Paris.

“Paris has become a city thanks to Africans,” Mr Delanoe explained amidst applause.
Written by Kemo Cham