Department of Local Government and Rural Development

According to the provisional constitution ratified on August 1, 2012, the Somali Republic has adopted a federal system. Article 48 of the Constitution specifies two levels of government, which are as follows:

1. Federal Government
2.  Local governments and Federal Member States

In 2017, the Federal Government of Somalia renamed The Ministry ‘The Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs, and Reconciliation’ in accordance with the FGS Interim Constitution.

A review of the structure of the ministry revealed that the name of the department for regions, municipalities, and rural development should be changed to local governments, administration expansion, and rural development, since the formation of federal member states has been completed and local governments are subordinate to the member states, per article 48 (b) of the Somalia Federal Government’s interim constitution.

The Objectives of the Department of Local Government, Public Administration, and Rural Development are:

• Creating local government institutions that are mandated by law and elected by the populace.
• Assisting federal member states in reestablishing local councils and districts.
• Holding community discussion meetings; and decentralization and re-implementation of rural development projects.

Responsibilities of the Department of Local Government, Public Administration & Rural Development are as follows:

1. The Department is responsible for implementing the Ministry’s policy on local Governments and Rural Development.
2. Consultations with stakeholders and the formulation of recommendations regarding laws and policies pertaining to the development of local governments, administrative expansion, and rural development.
3. Assisting federal member state ministries with the formation of local councils, development of local governments, administrative expansion, and rural development.
4. Carrying out the meeting of the joint forums for the country’s local governments’ development.
5. Preparation and implementation of the country’s stabilization process, as well as holding regular meetings on stabilization.
6. Helping federal member states in holding regular stabilization events.
7. The execution of plans for coordination and cooperation between The Ministry and the ministries of the federal member states.
8. Providing legal and financial assistance in the formation of people-elected local councils
9. Assist in stabilization and poverty-reduction efforts across the nation.
10. Cooperating with local and international organizations involved in the development of local Government.
11. Coordinate with and assist other departments in the ministry to jointly carry out the general duties and responsibilities of The Ministry.
12. Training and developing the capacity of the staff working in the department.
13. Managing and maintaining assets and data in the department.