Grassroots Democracy in a Rural African Community

Serette Kaminski, MPA/MSPS ’07 

As a Peace Corps volunteer currently serving in Niger, I recently had the pleasure of witnessing an important meeting that demonstrates the good work decentralization brings to Niger. As a municipal and community development volunteer, I took part in a two day conference that prioritized goals and set out specific plans for community development with the residents of the community. I witnessed local citizens working together with their traditional and elected leaders to create changes that will satisfy their needs. 

Niger is fascinating because it is currently blending its cultural traditions with newer democratic concepts. What is developing is a new democratic way of governing, one that is distinctly Nigerian. An example of this melody is how the recently elected mayors still consult with traditional chiefs of the village. Niger held municipal elections as a part of decentralization process in July 2004 and the government is distributed among 265 communities. Each community puts forth initiatives to improve health, sanitation, education, and various other community development topics. Within each community, there are varying resources and capacities.

This particular community identified their priorities as decentralization, education, energy, agriculture, sanitation improvements, promotion of women, and protection of children. The meeting was conducted in the local language of Hausa so that all villagers present could understand the dialogue. Representatives of the meeting included the mayor and his staff, counselors, community and city school inspectors, chiefs of the villages, and villagers themselves. Each village was asked to have two villagers present; one male and one female. A local non-governmental organization (NGO) facilitated the discussions for the two days and group activities allowed for active participation. From the agreements reached, the NGO will draw up a formal document listing these proposals formally. From here, other donors will use this document as a guide when assisting this commune in its development initiatives.

I noticed many cultural differences than what I am used to in the US. First, breaks were scheduled around the Muslim prayer calls and lunch was followed by traditional drinks made of pounded millet. People talked out of turn and arguments got out of hand at times. What was different for me, was just the villagers’ way of conducting a meeting and taking ownership.

All participants were split into mixed groups for each community priority and every group contained a mixed handful of local leaders, officials, and village delegates. Here was a chance for the average villager to communicate their ideas with people that may not always be accessible. Groups worked out the program objectives, cost, dates of implementation, and the villages that would be included for each program. I personally sat in on the discussions on sanitation improvements, promotion of women, and the protection of children. The dynamics were often heated as the city sanitation inspector, traditional village chief, female counselor, and local villagers decided on all facets of each program initiative.

Once there was a consensus within the group, all groups made presentations on their determinations for each program. As each program was discussed in detail, more heated discussion ensued. The discussion went long on the last day and we had to move outdoors to see the flip chart since there was no electricity in the community. Even the setting sun could not deter the participants and one of them focused their motorcycle headlamp on the charts so we could see the charts once the sun set.

Although I am a new member to this community, this moment was surreal to me and left me feeling proud. To have village participants continuing their debate long into the night showed a level of participation that is often absent in the most democratic of settings. Statistics may paint a grim picture of Niger, but what I witnessed in a rural commune was democracy in action and a step towards positive change in the future. It is true there is plenty of need in Niger, however ownership in the development process is key. This meeting highlights how local citizens are taking an active role in identifying their needs and realizing the results. I have no doubt that given their determination and drive, these local citizens can make it happen.