A Policy of regional decentralization and development, and local identities in Niger: the case of Damagaram ; Politique de décentralisation, développement régional et identités locales au Niger : le cas du Damagaram

Abstract

This political science doctoral dissertation entitled "A Policy of regional decentralization and development, and local identities in Niger: the case of Damagaram" looks at the context of a country of Sahel (Niger) which is identified as the most Sahelian country of the Sahel region. Located in West Africa, on Nigerien territory, the Damagaram is an agro-pastoral dominant region, representing 11.57% of the national territory, and 21.7% of the country's 2001 total population. This research interest lies in: the 19th century colonial history of Zinder sultanate, the transfer of the territory headquarter from Zinder to Niamey, and the political problem resulting from the fact that the elites of that region are the first to advance the issue of delay in the development of the region of Damagaram. This dissertation not only aims to capture ways to explain the capacity of mobilization, consensus, and interest representation at the Damagaram level, but it also focuses on an understanding of regional particularities in terms of identities, through the implementation of public policies in general, the experiences of regional development in Zinder in particular, mainly in the formulation of the Regional Development Guiding Scheme (RDGS/SDDR) of Zinder. The study reveals how regional, administrative and management institutions articulate within the social spaces to build political spaces which are vital to the implementation of public policies and regional development. In addition, the study identifies the main Damagaram identification symbols which, for more than ever, seem to be activated by the ongoing process of democratization and decentralization in Niger. The author apprehends the influence of Damagaram identity factor on the institutions in charge of regional development. He analyzes the actors' strategies and roles in the conquest of electorate and in the formulation of regional development instruments and actions. It appears that the Sultanate, as a symbol of traditional power, the organization of which hinges on ...