Autonomy and local democracy in Africa: an illustration using the case of Senegal

Abstract

This contribution analyzes from a retrospective and synchronous perspective the often conflicting power relations between the French colonial, the Senegalese post-colonial central states and the decentralized collectivities. Reflecting on the effective autonomy of the local collectivities in the management and running of the competences which are transferred to them through the decentralization laws, the article shows how, on the basis of real cases, the intervention of the central power in local affairs not only questions democracy but also and above all diverts the regionalization policies from their initial objectives. Points for practitionersThis article is a reference tool for understanding the history and evolution of decentralization in Senegal. By examining several questions, it supplies evidence on the functioning of decentralized communities, local governance, land management and the system of financial adjustment. It proposes means of decision-making and useful actions for those who are interested in the feasibility of democracy and local development in Senegal.

Representation through Privatisation: Regionalisation of Forest Governance in Tambacounda, Senegal

“…The year 1996 has often been described as the year marking the 'great decentralisation movement' in Senegal 7 (Toure 2012). This was a culmination of a long process of 'disengagement of the state' initiated through Structural Adjustment Programmes under Abou Diouf, who summarised them with his well-known slogan: "less State, better State" (moins d'Etat, mieux d'Etat) (Blundo 1998;Ka and Van de Walle 1994;van de Walle 2003).…”

“…The reform's democratic claims through the idioms of 'freedom' and 'autonomy' led some scholars to hastily qualify it as a sign of the deepening of political decentralisation. But others worried that the proposed changes would amount to the reinstitution oversight in new guises, as legality checks of de-concentrated territorial administrators ( Diouf 1998;Sy 1998;Cisse 2004;Fall 2004;Dickovick 2005;Toure 2012).…”

“…The Regional Council's President was elected among the presidents of the rural community councils (see Faye in this issue). However, in its role of 'promoting' and 'coordinating' development-related investments and actions, the regional council had the ability to constrain and shape rural community council's decisions (Ly & Diedhiou 1997;Toure 2012). 23 To carry out this important function of coordination and planning, a special agency was created in the midst of the regional council: the Agency for Regional Development (ARD).…”