This page helps citizens understand where to go, who to contact, and how to complete administrative procedures, based on the administrative tier:
- Governor’s Services (Regional level)
- Senior Divisional Officer Offices (Divisional level)
- Divisional Officer Offices (Subdivisional)
All responsibilities and service structures follow Decree No. 2008/377 of 12 November 2008.
Administrative Procedures
1. Procedures handled at the Governor’s Services(Regional Level)
The Governor processes matters that have regional impact or scope, including:
- Crisis management and regional security matters
- Regional authorizations
- Regional orders (arrêtés) issued by the Governor
- Coordination of all regional State services (except justice)
- Supervision and oversight of the Regional Council and regional public institutions
- Information on regional development programs, policies, and planning activities
Examples of procedures
- Requesting or consulting a regional order
- Reporting significant security events
- Seeking information on regional development plans
- Requesting Protocol Service assistance for ceremonies or official visits
H2 — 2. Procedures handled at the SDO (Division Level)
The SDO handles service coordination, public order, legality oversight, and implements government policies at division level.
Main administrative procedures
- Security authorizations (public events, sensitive activities)
- Legality control of municipal acts
- Administrative and legal procedures:
- Civil status rectifications
- Nationality-related procedures
- Administrative disputes
- Land and property matters
- Economic and fiscal documentation:
- Price lists (mercuriales)
- Economic reports
- Local fiscal rolls (business taxes, special taxes)
- Division-level public procurement supervision
3. Procedures handled at the DO Offices (District Level)
The DO is the closest level of State authority for citizens.
The DO ensures local service continuity, applies national policies, and issues legally binding decisions.
Examples of procedures
- Civil status procedures
- Registration or update of civil acts (depending on the municipality and local arrangements)
- Local permits and authorizations
- Small business activity permits
- Use of public space
- Community-level licenses
- Submission and retrieval of administrative documents
- Registration of DO’s decisions
- Administrative housing management (local level)
- Economic licences & patents
- Matters related to traditional chieftaincies
- Recognition
- Succession validation
- Disputes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions
What is the difference between Region, Division, and Subdivision?
- Region → Led by the Governor (regional coordination, security, development).
- Division→ Managed by the SDO (municipal oversight, divisional services).
- Subdivision→ Run by the DO (local administration, frontline services).
Who should I contact for my administrative request?
- DO → First contact for local procedures, permits, civil status updates, economic licences.
- SDO→ For authorizations, legality control, land matters, complex admin issues.
- Governor → For regional‑level authorizations, major events, high‑level coordination.
Who is responsible for maintaining public order?
- Governor → Regional level
- SDO→ Divisional level
- DO → Subdivision level
They may use law‑enforcement forces within the legal framework.
Authority & Roles
Can the DO issue legally binding decisions?
Yes. The DO has regulatory authority by decision within the scope defined by law.
Does the SDO have authority over municipal decisions?
The SDO does not rewrite municipal acts but performs legality control.
If an act is unlawful, the SDO may:
- request its withdrawal, or
- refer the matter to the competent authority.
Is the Governor hierarchically above the SDOs?
Yes. The Governor exercises direct hierarchical authority over all SDOs.
He supervises and coordinates their activity. This is also the case for the SDO regarding the DOs under his Division.
Documents & Procedures
Where do I request civil status documents?
- Municipalities handle most civil registration duties.
- DO Offices may handle rectifications, supervision, and certain administrative procedures depending on local arrangements.
Where can I obtain certified copies/photocopies of official documents?
- DO Offices: Only the DO has delegated signing authority.
- SDO Offices: The SDO has delegated signing authority for such documents and may transfer this authority to his Prefectural Deputies as necessary.
- Governor’s Services: The Governor has delegated signing authority for such documents and may transfer this authority to the Secretary General, the Inspector General, the Inspectors, and the Division Heads as necessary
Where to request a permit, authorization, or licence?
Depending on the scope:
- DO Offices→ local permits, patents, business licences
- SDO Offices→ Divisional authorizations, regulated activities, public gatherings
- Governor’s Services→ major regional authorizations
How can I challenge an administrative decision?
Three possible avenues:
- Administrative appeal to the issuing authority (gracious appeal).
- Hierarchical appeal → to a higher authority (e.g., DO → SDO→ Governor → Ministry).
- Judicial appeal before competent courts.
Public Services
How do I know which service depends on which level of the administration?
Overall distribution:
- Governor’s Services→ regional planning, security, and coordination of State services.
- SDO OFfices→ divisional civil services, supervision of municipalities.
- DO Offices → local public service management and frontline administration.