MAPUTO, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has called for more transparent, inclusive, and sustainable local governance, urging municipalities to strengthen citizen participation, boost economic resilience, and ensure no one is left behind in development efforts.
Speaking on Thursday in the capital, Maputo, at the opening of the 14th National Meeting of Municipalities, Chapo praised progress in decentralization but warned of persistent challenges, including post-election unrest that damaged infrastructure and eroded public trust.
He highlighted the importance of decentralization as a pillar of democratic governance and a driver of improved public services, revenue collection, and citizen engagement.
"With the municipalization process, decision-making power is closer to local communities, allowing greater participation in identifying and solving their problems," he said.
The president emphasized the need for municipalities to share best practices in transparent revenue management, urban planning, infrastructure rehabilitation, waste management, and environmental protection.
Chapo cited the recently launched Local Economic Development Fund and a land development project in Vilanculos, Inhambane Province, as examples of initiatives to strengthen municipal capacity and attract investment.
"We want strong, financially sustainable, technologically innovative municipalities that can generate jobs for youth and women, improve quality of life, and act as true hubs of local economic development," he said.
The three-day forum has gathered local and national authorities, development partners, and other stakeholders to assess progress in municipal governance and chart solutions for the next phase of Mozambique's decentralization process. ■
