Chigwata, TinasheSteytler, NicoZiswa, Melissa Nyaradzo Sibongile2017-05-252024-11-062017-05-252024-11-062016https://hdl.handle.net/10566/18621Magister Legum - LLMIn 2014, the African Union (AU) adopted the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development (the African Charter on Decentralisation). The Charter is a first of its kind to provide a decentralisation framework for local government on the African continent. It seeks to use local government as a vehicle for improving the livelihoods of people on the African continent. Member States of the AU will only be bound by the African Charter on Decentralisation once they have ratified it. The actual impact of the Charter to improve the livelihood of people on the African continent is unknown. This research paper provides a critical analysis of the Charter in order to establish its potential. The analysis is undertaken against the background of the international literature on decentralisation and 'best' practices on local government.enAfrican UnionDecentralisationIntergovernmental cooperationAfrican Charter on Decentralisation, 2014University of the Western Cape