Posted by Chester Morton / Monday, 5 September 2016 / No comments
The functions of the Lieutenant-Governor in French Colonial West Africa
THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR IN COLONIAL FRENCH WEST AFRICA BEFORE
WORLD WAR II
Introduction
In each territory that made up the French West African
Federation, there was a Lieutenant-General as the highest political leader. He
served directly below the Governor-General who was in charge of the entire
federation into which French West Africa was organized.
THE FUNCTIONS OF A LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR
Implementing decrees
It was the duty of the Lieutenant-General to determine how
decrees passed in France could be applied in his territory.
Budget Preparation
He ensured that the budget for the territory was prepared and
submitted to the Governor-General for his approval before it could be
implemented.
Functions in relation to chiefs
The Lieutenant-Governor appointed chiefs to the Council of
Notables though this was done based on the recommendations of the Commandant du
Cercle. The main function of the Council of Notables was advisory. They advised
the Commandant du Cercle on issues pertaining to the well being of the cercle.
Also upon the recommendations of the commandant du Cercle, the
Lieutenant-General appointed every Chef de Canton and his secretary.
Control of the Civil Service
The Lieutenant-General controlled the Civil Service in his
territory. He could transfer officials in the Civil Service to anywhere within
his territory. Only officials who were specifically mentioned in a decree were
exempted from his powers of control.
Maintained Law and order
The Lieutenant-General maintained law and order. He ensured
that law and order prevailed in his area of jurisdiction.
Grant subjects exemption from indigenat
Under the indigenat, subjects were subject to
imprisonment for up to two years without trial. However, the Lieutenant-Governor
had the power to recommend that some subjects be exempted from the obnoxious
indigenat.
LIMITATIONS TO THE POWERS OF THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNORS
Limitation of movement
The Lieutenant-Governor could not exercise control over areas
that were not under his jurisdiction. For example, he did not have control over
people who live in other territories other than his. he did not also have
control over people who moved to British West Africa.
Administrative workload
The Lieutenant-General did not have the time to go round and
properly supervise the work of the Commandant du Cerlces because of his
workload in the capital and other reasons.
Frequent transfer of governors
The French colonial administration did not allow officials to entrench their tentacles in one territory for too long so they
kept transferring them from one place to the other.
Constitutional checks
The Lieutenant-Governor was obliged to act within the
constitutional limits. It was not possible for him to take any action on his
own that could violate the constitution that empowered him in his office.
Citizens’ control
The French accorded French citizenship to some Africans
living in the territories and this went with the right to participate in local
and French politics. These citizens could criticize the Lieutenant-Governor on
the bases of specific issues of the territory.
Fear of local revolts
Though revolts were duly crushed whenever they occurred, they
were happening in the territories. Sometimes the fear of such local rebellion
kept the Lieutenant-General on his toes.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. Highlight six functions of the Lieutenant-General under
the French colonial administration between 1900 and 1939.
2. a. Describe the status of the Lieutenant-General in French
colonial Africa.
b. Highlight five
of his powers and functions.
3. a. What was the status of the Lieutenant-General in French
West Africa.
b. In which five
ways were the powers of the Lieutenant-General controlled.
