The SDO Offices

The SDO is the guarantor of public order, the implementation of laws, the monitoring of public policies, and the coordination of civil State services.

His powers are defined under Articles 35 to 50 of Decree No. 2008/377.

The Role of the SDO

The SDO performs five core functions.

1. Representative of the State in the Department

The SDO:

• represents the State in all administrative and judicial matters at the divisional level;
• embodies State authority throughout the entire divisional territory.

2. Maintenance of Public Order

He:

• ensures security, social peace, and enforcement of laws and regulations;
• exercises authority, under regulated conditions, over the police, gendarmerie, and armed forces.

3. Coordination of Decentralized State Services

Under the authority of Ministers and the Governor, he:

• supervises all decentralized civil services (excluding the judiciary);
• is ex officio chairperson of divisional administrative commissions;
• receives copies of all ministerial instructions addressed to divisional services.

4. Steering of Divisional Development

The SDO coordinates:

• economic, social, and cultural public policies;
• continuity of public service delivery within divisional administrations.

5. Supervisory Authority over Councils

He:

• exercises State supervisory authority over councils;
• controls the legality and regularity of their acts;
• monitors the functioning of council‑run public establishments.

SDO Deputies

SDO deputies:

• assist the SDO in the performance of his duties;
• conduct studies entrusted to them;
• coordinate the activities of Divisional Officers;
• ensure interim leadership of the SDO (First Deputy).

The First SDO Deputy is legally empowered to automatically replace the SDO in the event of absence or temporary incapacity.

Organization of the SDO’s Office

The SDO OFfice comprises six main units supporting divisional administrative leadership.

1. Private Secretariat of the SDO

Missions:

• management of correspondence and archives;
• protocol, reception, and security of the SDO;
• relations with the media;
• management of honors and matters relating to arms and ammunition.

2. General Affairs Service

Responsibilities:

• budget management and allocation of funds;
• procurement, supplies management, and inventory accounting;
• maintenance of buildings and equipment;
• communication and transport facilities.

3. Administrative, Legal and Political Affairs Service

Areas of responsibility:

• security and public order;
• public freedoms, political parties, and associations;
• civil status, population, and nationality matters;
• traditional chiefdoms;
• management of departmental personnel;
• State property and land affairs;
• reproduction and dissemination of laws and SDO acts.

4. Economic and Financial Affairs Service

Missions:

• economic documentation;
• economic and statistical reporting;
• monitoring of production, marketing, prices, and market bulletins;
• transport matters;
• preparation of civil services budgets;
• public procurement;
• local taxation (flat‑rate tax, fees, fiscal census).

5. Social and Cultural Affairs Service

Fields of action:

• civil, social, and family protection;
• employment and labor;
• urban planning and housing;
• youth, sports, and recreation;
• tourism, arts, and crafts.

6. Local Development Service

Role:

• support to councils;
• budgetary oversight and legality review of municipal acts;
• decentralized cooperation;
• territorial planning at divisional level;
• monitoring of development projects;
• promotion of local development initiatives.

SDO Offices of the West Region