Urban Leadership and Governance Practices and Challenges in the Regional State of Tigray

The study aimed at exploring the current leadership and governance practices in urban centers of Tigray at different government levels and identifying areas for intervention. The study used key informant interview and focus group discussion to collect primary data. The research participants were drawn from federal and regional government authorities and standing committees of city councils. The study revealed that while cities in the region are showing unprecedented growth, they are not being led by qualified urban professionals. Furthermore, the frequent change of leadership, reform tools and organization of the cities is creating instability in the overall running of city matters. The study also indicated lack of real political commitment and loyalty to public cause at all levels is hampering exercise of good governance in the urban centers. Despite some improvements in monitoring and oversight, the city councils do not fully exercise the powers entrusted to them in the regional constitution especially in terms of holding the executive accountable. Upward accountability is widely assumed by the legislature and the executive. Moreover, the executive does not usually take the feedback given by the councils seriously. Regardless of some improvements, the formal courts are still perceived as sources of dissatisfaction and grievance by the public. The study also found out that there is a wide range of rent seeking attitude and practice in the cities in the area of land provision and administration. The study, therefore, identified relevant research themes and projects and key areas of intervention that it planned to realize.