Posted by Chester Morton / Monday, 5 September 2016 / No comments
The functions, powers and limitations of the Governor-General in French Colonial West Africa
THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE FRENCH WEST AFRICAN FEDERATION
Introduction
There were nine territories in all in French West Africa.
They were all put together as a political unit called a federation. A
Governor-General, appointed by the Minister of Colonies, was placed at the head
of this political unit. Unlike the Minister of Colonies, he resided in the
colonies proper. The federal capital was Dakar and the Governor-General was
headquartered there.
FUNCTIONS & POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL
The link between Paris and West Africa
Any information, law, decree or instruction that needed to be
passed down to the federation could only be passed through the
Governor-General. Similarly, any information that had to get to the government
in France, passed through the Governor-General. In other words, the
Governor-General was the official link between Paris and West Africa.
Preparation of budget
The federal budget was prepared by the Governor-General or he himself ensured that it was prepared. He also approved all the budgets that were
prepared by the various territories otherwise those budgets could not be
implemented.
Defense and security
It was the responsibility of the Governor-General to ensure
that the federation was safe from any external aggression and internal
insurrection. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal army, he could move the
federal troops to any part of the federation if he felt it was in the interest
of the French government.
Social and economic development
The social and economic development of the entire federation
was the duty of the Governor-General. To be able to accomplish this function,
he was further empowered to source funding for development activities. All the
mineral resources in the federation were under his control. His sanction was
crucial in any decision to exploit any mineral deposits in the federation.
Delegated Powers
The Governor-General could delegate some of his powers to a
subordinate authority. So, for example, the Governor-General could delegate his
power to expel foreigners from the federation to the Lieutenant-Governors.
Prerogative of mercy
As the representative of the French government in the
colonies, the Governor-General had the power of prerogative of mercy. In other
words, the Governor-General had the power to give pardon to convicted criminals
on compassionate grounds or where, in his opinion, it was necessary.
LIMITATIONS OF THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL
Subject to instructions from Paris
The Governor-General served directly under the Minister of
Colonies, so he was subject to his control. He did not have the power to take
decisions on crucial issues without the approval of the Minister of Colonies.
Also, policy directives emanated from the French government and laws were
passed from the French parliament. The Governor-General could not act outside
these laws.
Could be fired
The position of the Governor-General was not guaranteed when
there was a change of government. It was possible that he could be fired from
his position.
Poor communication network
Communication was not developed in those days as it is today,
so the Governor-General was not able to effectively communicate with the
Lieutenant-Generals in the various territories. Another aspect of poor
communication was the absence of effective road network. The limitation of the
Governor-General was that he could not travel around effectively to supervise
his subordinates. Neither could he communicate with them in real time, so he
could not ensure that his directives were carried out to the letter.
Local revolts
A possible local resistance against the French Government
could serve as a limiting factor to the Governor-General’s exercise of his
powers. Though often these local resistances were brutally crushed by the
French, it at times served as moral and practical checks on the authority and
power of the Governor-General.
Control by French African citizens
There were some French Africans in the French Parliament in
Paris, there were also some educated French Africans living in the Dakar
especially and the four communes in general, who made it their job to criticize
the work of the Governor-General if they felt he was wrong. This category of
Africans also served as a limitation to the authority of the Governor-General.
