Citizen Participation in Governance for Local Development

The issue of citizen participation in the process of governance for local development is something that has been addressed since Mozambique's independence in 1975 and the adoption of the system of democratic governance by the then government. However, it was only after the approval of the Constitution of the Republic in 1990 that this participation began to be strongly emphasised, especially with the first Presidential and Legislative elections in 1994, and strengthened with the introduction of Municipal governance in the country in 1998. With these landmark events, there began to be an increase in citizen participation in the governance process, especially with regard to local development, since this model of governance presupposes the inclusion of the people in the decision-making process in all aspects of people's lives. This study, carried out in the municipal town of Ribáuè, therefore aims to show the forms and importance of citizen participation in the governance process for local development. And with it, the author aims to contribute to solidifying the spirit of this model of governance with a view to the common good.