Local Government and Traditional Authority in Southern and Western Africa

In various African countries, governments are forced to accept and/or establish decentralized structures in order to facilitate ways in which the poor sections of their population might gain influence on and access to development resources. Yet, there is confusion about the role and functioning of such decentralized structures as well as about sustainable political approaches to the top down transfer of government power in the context of local agendas. The book highlights mayor aspects of the legitimacy of local power as presented by modern self-government structures as well as traditional communal authorities. Although the main focus is placed on Southern Africa (Namibia, South Africa, Botswana), examples from other regions (Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo) are also put into perspective.