In Benin, Cotonou’s interim mayor, Isidore Gnonlonfoun (picture), has proceeded last Friday to the official installation of the members of the new land management commission of his city. Comprised of 11 members, it will be steered by a 5-member office which will have at its head the president of the permanent commission of the municipal council in charge of state lands and environmental affairs, Emile Houndelaji.

“The commission, whose mission is to assist the mayor and suggest him ideas to improve state’s and other lands’ management within the municipality, regroups representatives of the civic society, notables and elders, development associations, lawyers, executives of the municipal administration as well as the city’s municipal elects,” indicates daily newspaper La Nouvelle Tribune.

By forming such a heterogeneous mix, the interim mayor who replaces the dismissed mayor, Lehady Soglo, intends to favor an inclusive approach in the framework of the prevention and management of conflict over state’s and other lands, in the country’s economic capital.