MAYOR PRESENTS HER VISION FOR KIGALI

UNCLAS KIGALI 001063 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PGOV ECON RW SUBJECT: MAYOR PRESENTS HER VISION FOR KIGALI REF: A. KIGALI 18 ¶B. KIGALI 220 ¶1. (U) Summary. On 3 November Kigali City Mayor, Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, briefed diplomatic corps and a small group of stakeholders on her strategic vision for the city. Kacyira presented her municipal government's mission, to make Kigali "a safer, cleaner, more competitive modern city with expanding opportunity for sustainable development of its citizens and the country at large," and engaged the audience in a discussion on the issues of the day for Kigali. End summary. ¶2. (U) Background. On 1 January 2006 the government implemented a decentralization plan designed to make all levels of government more efficient (ref A). Part of the plan was the consolidation of Kigali City into three districts- Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyrugenge- administered by district mayors in conjunction with the Kigali City Council, headed by the Kigali Mayor. Kacyrira, a member of the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and former parliamentarian was elected mayor on 4 March 2006 (ref B). End background. ¶3. (U) In her well delivered power point presentation Kacyira gave the city high marks for its security, cleanliness and good governance. She identified the significant challenges for Kigali City as high unemployment, large numbers of vulnerable groups (e.g. street children and widows), infrastructure capacity (e.g. water and power capacity), unplanned and uncontrolled settlement and an inadequate level of skilled human resources to drive economic development. ¶4. (SBU) Comment. Kaycyira was very much the practiced politician hitting the key issues while avoiding detailed plans to address them. She continually emphasized "service delivery" while deftly deflecting complaints about lack of water and poor trash collection. While the challenges are significant, Kacyira has at least demonstrated a solid grasp of the positives and negatives of the current situation and a willingness to openly discuss her vision with a select audience. She also has a strong background as both a politician and manager and post believes she has the full backing of President Kagame and the RPF. End comment. ARIETTI