Like much of francophone Africa, Niger ‘s government structure resembles France’s system with prefects heading several departments and arrondissements. Since the country’s independence in 1960 some changes have been made in respect to the institutional divisions. Today a total of eight regions including the capital of Niamey are subdivided into 36 districts (departments) and 266 communes (local councils, both urban and rural). The chief administrators in each region (governor) and department (prefect) are appointed by the government of Niger and function as the local agents of the central authority. At the local level, council representatives are elected for a five year term. Furthermore these local councils elect some representatives on the higher levels in a pyramidal structure of government. Elections at the municipal level were held in January 2011 although scrutinized by the international community. The next elections are planned to take place in 2016.
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Niger’s decentralization policy took definite shape in 2000, when the Fifth Republic drafted the Poverty Reduction Strategy Document (DSRP) aimed at improving basic living conditions but also strengthen good governance and decentralization. For example a law was drafted that increases the role of women in electoral politics by means of a quota system. Although the theory behind the new decentralized structure with municipalities, departments and regions is clear, only the municipalities are able to fulfill their role as local authorities. Other government levels are hindered by legal and practical problems. Judicial reform programmes and projects improving budget management by localities aim at strengthening municipalities and at the same time facilitating higher levels of decentralized authority to develop.
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Since 2000 two coups have unsettled Niger politics eventually leading up to the stabilization of the country by the military and the declaration of the Seventh Republic. Although decentralization was hindered by financial and practical difficulties up until 2010, a new constitution drafted by an expert committee provides new opportunities. With renewed emphasis on democratization Niger can allow local government to take a more prominent role and also re-activate relations with many aid organizations.
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