Rules of Procedure of the
Lake Chad Basin Commission
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Rules of Procedure of the Lake Chad Basin Commission
A Legacy of Unity and Purpose
On 22 May 1964, four visionary leaders, Presidents Ahmadou Ahidjo (Cameroon), Diori Hamani (Niger), Franois Tombalbaye (Chad), and Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Nigeria) signed the historic Fort-Lamy Convention, establishing the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). This foundational treaty marked the beginning of a regional journey tThe Rules of Procedure of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) form the operational backbone of its governance system. These rules ensure that the Commissions activities are conducted with transparency, efficiency, and accountability, aligning with its mandate to manage shared water resources and promote regional integration.oward cooperative water governance, environmental stewardship, and peaceful integration.
Purpose and Scope
The Rules of Procedure are designed to:
These rules apply to the Summit of Heads of State and Government, the Council of Ministers, the Executive Secretariat, and Consultative Committees, providing a unified framework for collaboration.
Define the structure and conduct of meetings across LCBCs governing bodies.
Establish decision-making protocols and voting procedures.
Clarify the roles and responsibilities of Member States and institutional actors.
Ensure consistency and fairness in deliberations and resolutions.
Institutional Application
As the highest decision-making body, the Summits procedures are governed by rules that ensure strategic alignment and consensus among Member States. These include:
- Scheduling and convening of sessions.
- Adoption of resolutions by consensus or qualified majority.
- Protocols for extraordinary meetings in response to urgent regional issues.
The Councils Rules of Procedure facilitate:
- Regular and extraordinary sessions.
- Review and approval of budgets, programs, and policies.
- Technical consultations and stakeholder engagement.
As the highest decision-making body, the Summits procedures are governed by rules that ensure strategic alignment and consensus among Member States. These include:
- Scheduling and convening of sessions.
- Adoption of resolutions by consensus or qualified majority.
- Protocols for extraordinary meetings in response to urgent regional issues.
These expert bodies follow rules that promote:
- Inclusive dialogue among technical specialists.
- Evidence-based recommendations.
- Integration of scientific and local knowledge into LCBC strategies.
Evolution and Relevance
The Council of Ministers is entrusted with the following responsibilities:
Address emerging issues such as climate change, security, and migration.
Incorporate international best practices in water governance and regional cooperation.
Align with LCBCs Vision 2025, the Strategic Action Plan, and the Water Charter adopted in 2012.
Principles Embedded in the Rules
The LCBCs Rules of Procedure are rooted in key governance principles:
Equity
Ensuring all Member States have
equal voice and representation.
Transparency
Promoting open access to decisions and deliberations.
Efficiency
Streamlining processes to respond
swiftly to regional challenges.
Accountability
Reinforcing institutional responsibility
and performance tracking.
Conclusion
The Rules of Procedure are more than administrative guidelines, they are the foundation of trust and collaboration among LCBC Member States. By codifying how decisions are made and implemented, they ensure that the Commission remains a responsive, resilient, and results-driven institution.
As LCBC continues to navigate complex regional challenges, its Rules of Procedure will remain a vital tool for fostering peace, prosperity, and sustainability in the Lake Chad Basin.
