Conclusion of the Seminar: “Decentralization is the next vital step in our political evolution.” [Archives:1999/12/Business & Economy]

Over 150 participants gathered for two days to address the issue of decentralization in Yemen. The speakers came from parliament, the Consultative Council, government, academia, etc.
For the first time, a taboo topic was addressed head on. “People were scared of being branded separatists or secessionists. We thought there was a need to break the psychological barrier,” explained Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf, one of the organizers of the seminar in Sanaa during 17-18 March, 1999.

Under the tutelage of the Consultative Council, the Human Rights, Liberties and NGO Committee took on itself to risk it. It was all worthwhile, in spite of the warnings and reservations at many levels. Actually, the organizers broke another taboo.
“In the past, the authorities organized their conferences and seminars. Opposition party representatives and intellectuals were invited as decoration, if at all. The opposition circles also organized their conferences and seminars, and government people were invited as decoration, if at all. In this seminar, there was a well-balanced partnership. “The two sides participated on an equal footing, which is amazing,” said Renaud Detalle, a French researcher who is an authorities on Yemen.

There were three documents that were distributed to the audience. The first is the proposal of the Local Administration Law Draft prepared by the Ministry of Local Administration. This was replaced by a more developed version presented by the People’s General Congress. The government adopted this second version, and is now being discussed in parliament. The third document is a proposal of the Local Government Law, which was prepared by the opposition parties.
Dr. Faraj Bin Ghanim, former Prime Minister, who chaired the first session, made an important prelude to the discussions. “All efforts aim to serve the nation. We have to accept that Yemenis are trying to help their country in different ways,” he stated in the talks. He also indicated that local government has become a necessity for the nation’s continued growth and evolution.
There were four main presentations, beyond the drafts of laws.
The first was by Professor Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf who showed the integral relations between democracy and decentralization. “You cannot have a real democracy if all powers are focused at the center. Decentralization is one of the manifestations of a democratic system,” he asserted.
Dr. Abubakar Al-Qirby gave the second paper. He showed how decentralization strengthens a democratic system. “The mistakes and abuses are part of the lack of accountability. In a decentralized system, there would be more feedback from the people who will have a say in the way their elected representatives behave and manage public affairs.”
Mr. Mohammed Abdullah Saeed, Deputy Minister of Civil Service and Administrative Reform, shared his experience while preparing for the law draft. “We have to be careful not to over-step our realities. “If we take too much in one bite, we may not be able to chew it up,” he cautioned.
Dr. Abdullah Saeed Mohammed, Deputy Minister of Education, presented the experience of his ministry in delegation of authority. “At the theoretical level, it is all fine and good to say that we want people to have more control over their lives in the governorates. The point, however, is whether those people have the capability to manage their affairs efficiently,” he said.
The German side made two presentations.
First Mr. Manfred Haack, Regional Director of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, gave a long introduction on the significance of decentralization. “It is not only needed for democracy, it also has an important economic dimension. Decentralized systems tend to be far more efficient than centralized ones.”Then Professor Klaus-Ekhart Gebauer, Head of Division at the Prime Minister Office in Rhineland Palatine, gave a legal and historic description of how Germany’s decentralization system works. He explained the powers and rights at the federal, state, and local levels.

But it was really the discussion sessions that generated the juicy details and positions. More than six hours of open debates and discussions highlighted many aspects of the proposed law, the political agendas, and the possibilities and trends for Yemen’s near future in this regard.
Many of the participants explained their views openly to the Yemen Times.
Here is a selection of the views.

Mr. Sultan Al-Barakani, the Majority Leader of the People’s General Congress Party in Parliament:

“I hope our law draft on decentralization will be enacted by parliament during the second half of 1999. I also hope that elections of the local administrative councils will take place before the end of 1999,” he said.
“Some governorates are concerned over decentralization because of the lack of resources – whether financial or manpower. However, this question is irrelevant. National resources are not owned by a particular governorate, and will therefore be shared by all. Any person who attempts to manipulate this issue is trying to disrupt the process or looking for personal gain. I feel we should leave all party-based quarrels behind us, and work with the people in efforts to overcome the mistakes that result from administrative and financial centralization.
“The People General Congress (PGC) took the initiative to advance and promote this law draft. The President (of the Republic) has emphasized the importance of giving people the right to participate in managing the government.
“There is no harm in analyzing and studying other nations’ experiences. At the end, however, we should selectively apply those aspects that suit our society. We should not blindly copy from others, because of social, cultural and political differences. I finally that the local administrative councils will increase efficiency of our system.”
Manfred Haack, Director of Friedrich Ebert Foundation for the Arabian Peninsula.
“The Yemeni people can achieve their democratic goals, because they have such a rich history and culture that dates back to 5,000 years. I am sure Yemen can fulfill all its ambitions, including decentralization.
I think the Yemeni mentality of independence and local loyalty of the tribes and regions offer an organizational structure which is ideal for a decentralized system. Yemen will face problems along the way, but it will be able to work through them by communicating and sorting out differences.
“We in Germany will support Yemen’s transformation process.”
Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Ibn Al-Sheik, Director of the Sanaa Office of the League of the Sons of Yemen Party.

“Decentralization is about distributing duties in different organizations and regions. Centralization means compactness and concentration of power, whereas decentralization means that the population will have a greater say in public life. It is the democratic way. ‘Consequently democracy and decentralization are two sides of the same coin’ as Professor Al-Saqqaf in his opening statement which guided our discussions.
“We can’t imagine having a democracy without decentralization. For us Yemenis, decentralization is a necessary step to face today’s challenges.
“What we need is a large-scale wide-ranging local administrative system which empowers the people to fulfill their own hopes and needs, and to allow them to govern themselves. A system that helps them develop themselves and their areas. A system that gives the people the right to hold their authorities accountable.
“We are very glad that to have our German friends with us. It is useful to have an idea of the experience of others, but it would be foolish to just blindly copy it. I would like to say that we have learned a lot from their experience.”
Dr. Faraj Bin Ghanim,
Former Prime Minister.
“It is clear that all sides want decentralization. The differences in the positions relate to the level of delegation of authority from the center to the branches.
“I believe both sides have presented their views. In my opinion there is a great deal of agreement, and there are some clear differences. We should approach this matter with flexibility and an open mind. We have come here to share notes and see how we can bridge the gap. The documents, papers and discussions of this seminar will go a long time towards achieving that.”
Abdul-Rahman Ba-Fadhle, Member of Parliament, Islah Bloc.

“Let me announce here that the PGC party has the major responsibility in the way our local administration law evolves. They have the majority in parliament, and they can decide.
“I am happy to say that I personally am satisfied with the law proposal we have been offered. I feel it meets our present needs.
“Some people argue that the proposed draft does not go far enough. If there is any need in the future for changes, we can always amend the law.”
Dr. Abubakar Al- Qirby, Member of the Consultative Council.

“In my paper I highlighted the theoretical aspects of how decentralization or local administration can strengthen a democracy. It is obvious that the more liberty you give people to participate in managing their own affairs, developing their own resources, and planning for their growth, the more they feel the sense of responsibilities, which strengthen our democracy.
“I feel which should not be scared of decentralization. Slowly but steadily, we should proceed in this important undertaking. I think it is time to go ahead.”
Prof. Dr. Klaus-Eckart Gebauer, Head of Division in the State Chancellor of Rhineland-Palatine, Germany.

“I am very excited by the discussions we had with our Yemeni friends. The questions were clear and the answers were straight. I am also impressed by the free political engagement and the well thought-out ideas of all of my colleagues speaking here. They all agree that this issue of decentralization is an important question for the future of this country.
“My task is to give some ideas of our experience in Germany over the years. It would be impolite of me to tell Yemenis how to develop their own system of decentralization. I simply provide some raw material and explanations from our experiences to help Yemenis in the discussions and in developing their ideas.
“Our system was shaped by strong influences from the USA, France, the UK and others after World War 2. The watershed was in 1959.
“We develop our system in a democratic way and over many years, and we are still working on it. I am sure if Yemen has success in decentralization, we might want you to come to Germany and inspire us by your example, some day.”
Mohammed Al-Rubayi
Chair, National Committee for Proposing Decentralization Law (Opposition):

“There is very little meaning in enacting a law if it does not give the governorates and district enough powers. We are talking about strengthening our democracy and moving forward. I am afraid the PGC proposed law takes us backward.”CONCLUSION:
At the end of the discussions, there was near-total consensus that the politicians, decision-makers, opinion-makers, businessmen, intellectuals and others will support parliament in its drive to enact the law.
“This law has been delayed several times for various reasons. We want parliament to go on with the job. If there are any discrepancies, then we will address them at a later stage,” explained Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf, the engine behind the seminar.

By: Hatem Bamehriz.
Yemen Times.

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