Key lesson on devolution and cohesion from Belgium

The State of Belgium has undergone a tremendous change since its foundation in 1830. What used to be a centralist structure administered on the basis of one language, morphed during the 20th century into a federal state with three official languages. The federated entities today enjoy fundamental competencies such as education and research, public works, agriculture and environment.

ACCOMODATE

This devolution did not take place to fulfil some political ambitions, but happened out of a necessity to accommodate the different views and needs expressed by different communities more and more conscious of their respective identities, nestled in a territory roughly the size of Tana River County.

EVOLVING

This is probably why Belgium feels very much attuned to the devolution that is now taking root in Kenya. The subsidiary principle, according to which a competency should be exercised at the most adequate level, the reliability of financial transfers from the national level to the federated entities according to their needs. It is also based on their contributions to the wealth of the nation. Mechanisms for consultation and dispute settlement to prevent competence overlap and defuse tensions between the different levels, are all at core of the Belgian federal system. However, this system is not perfect and is constantly evolving.

INTERLOCUTOR

As Kenya knows it now, devolution is a day to day learning experience for politicians, where empathy for the interlocutor, dedication to serve the population and the sense for compromise make a crucial difference. I can only praise President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Raila Odinga for having shaken hands and found a middle ground bound to help overcome long-standing national grievances.

RELATIONS

Belgium established diplomatic relations with Kenya in 1963. We have since then enjoyed cordial relations with increased co-operation in education and research, cultural exchanges and trade.

Today, the support given by my country to Kenya primarily focuses on the creation of non-commercial infrastructure such as water pumping and distribution systems, footbridges, waste treatment or the acquisition of fire engines.

EDUCATION

I was recently in the hills of Kajiado County to see for myself how a Belgian soft loan for the digging of boreholes can make a crucial difference for the local communities. This is, especially so for women and girls who are usually assigned to fetch water no matter the distance, and to the detriment of their own education.

GENERATIONS

Today the mwananchi is asking himself or herself questions about the loans taken by the government, which is perfectly understandable. But loans are not all the same. If a project represents a real investment for the public good, and without imposing a burden on future generations, it is worth it. This is, of course, a judgment call that every public decision maker has to make in Europe or Africa.

CATASTROPHE

The capital of Belgium, Brussels, is the headquarters of the European Union. After 60 years of peace and success uniting a continent once divided, the EU is facing tough challenges, like everybody else in this fast changing world where populists or nationalists and their “easy” solutions and aggressive posturing bring us closer to a new catastrophe.

DIALOGUE

How can our memory be so short? A few days ago, we marked the centennial of the end of the First World War, a conflict thousands of Africans were drawn into by the mere fact of being colonised by the warring parties. In Belgium, entire towns were wiped out, hundreds of thousands of young men from the Allied forces died in the Flanders fields, the same fields which a century later still regurgitate dangerous explosives. Across the world, putting aside egos and engaging in a dialogue has never been more important. “Try to see it my way”, sang a famous British band; “we can work it out”.

MEDIATION

I commend Kenya for its mediation in South Sudan and for the price paid by its soldiers in Somalia. The EU wants to partner with Kenya in the maintenance of international peace and security in Africa. Soon, Belgium and Kenya will both sit at the table of the Security Council of the United Nations. With the sense of dialogue and compromise that characterises our leaders, this will represent a great opportunity to contribute to a safer and more peaceful world. Long live His Majesty King Philippe and to the bonds of affection between our two nations!

Mr Nihon is the Ambassador of Belgium to Kenya. [email protected]