2014年-世界发展银行全球_Republic_of_Burundi_Fiscal_Decentralization_and_Local_Governance___Managing_Trade-Offs_to_Promote_Sustainable_Reforms_148页_6mb

Summary of Republic of Burundi Fiscal Decentralization and Local Governance: Managing Trade-Offs to Promote Sustainable Reforms

Core Content

This report, prepared by the World Bank in collaboration with the Government of Burundi, analyzes the challenges and opportunities of fiscal decentralization and local governance in Burundi. It is part of a broader policy study aimed at supporting the country's efforts to achieve sustainable development, improve service delivery, and enhance transparency and accountability in public resource management.

The report is structured into four main chapters, each focusing on a specific aspect of decentralization and local governance, and includes a range of policy recommendations to improve the financial and institutional sustainability of the reform process.

Main Messages

• Fiscal Decentralization Challenges: Burundi's communes face significant financial constraints due to a weak tax system, low local revenue, and minimal fiscal transfers from the national government.
• Land Governance: Land scarcity and tenure insecurity are major drivers of conflict, and the decentralization of land management is crucial for promoting stability and investment.
• Social Accountability: Strengthening citizen participation and engagement is essential for improving local governance and ensuring that public services meet community needs.
• Need for Reform: The country requires a more comprehensive, predictable, and transparent fiscal framework to support the reform agenda and address the financial needs of communes.

Key Policy Issues and Recommendations

Key Policy Issues

1. Optimal Number of Communes: The current number of communes may not be efficient, especially given the limited financial capacity of many local governments.
2. Functional Responsibilities of Communes: There is a need to clearly define and assign appropriate responsibilities to communes to ensure effective service delivery.
3. Revenue Mobilization: Communes need to enhance their own revenue generation to reduce dependency on national transfers.
4. Pro-Poor Funding Transfers: Establishing a fair and transparent funding transfer system for current expenditures is critical to complement the FONIC (National Investment Funds for Communes).
5. Implications of Mining Revenues: Mining revenues could play a role in supporting commune finances, but their distribution and management require careful consideration.

Key Recommendations

• Support a comprehensive communication strategy to inform citizens and officials about decentralization processes and their benefits.
• Increase awareness-raising efforts among both local citizens and elected officials to foster better engagement.
• Empower civil society actors to bridge the gap between citizens and public authorities.
• Harmonize tax collection across communes to improve revenue efficiency.
• Promote citizen engagement and participation within the current decentralization framework to enhance accountability and service delivery.

Institutional and Political Context

Burundi's decentralization process began after the 2000 Arusha Peace Agreement, which aimed to address the root causes of conflict, including rural exclusion and deprivation. The 2005 constitution introduced inter-ethnic power-sharing mechanisms and laid the foundation for decentralization. Since 2005, the government has made progress in establishing a framework for decentralization, including the creation of 129 communes, most of which are rural.

However, the reform process has faced several challenges since 2010, including the lack of adoption of new laws that define the responsibilities and financial framework for communes. The government has also delayed the implementation of laws related to communal finances, territorial civil service, and local administrators.

Fiscal Decentralization and Land Governance

• Fiscal Decentralization Status: Communes in Burundi have limited financial autonomy and struggle to meet basic operating costs. In 2012, total communal revenues reached 16 billion FBu, with the majority coming from Bujumbura and Gitega.
• Land Governance Reforms: Land tenure insecurity and scarcity are major contributors to conflict in Burundi. The decentralization of land management, as outlined in the Land Code 2011, has created opportunities for improved governance and service delivery. However, challenges remain in the implementation and institutional capacity to manage land records and registration.
• Case Studies and Experiences: The report highlights the experience of the World Bank's CDD (Community Driven Development) operation in the communes of Makebuko and Rutegama, which demonstrates the importance of citizen engagement and transparency in local governance.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the need for a balanced and sustainable approach to fiscal decentralization, with a focus on improving the financial viability of communes, enhancing land governance, and promoting social accountability. It underscores the importance of stakeholder collaboration, including the government, civil society, and international donors, to ensure the long-term success of the decentralization process in Burundi.