Lomé: Actors and process of a new local governance

Within the context of the recent debate on the evolution of urban spaces in Africa in the XIX century, this study intends to analyse the socio-spatial dynamics of the city of Lomé. In particular, our attention will be focused on the new relations between the State, its citizens and the open territory, created by the turbulent democratic transition of the nineties. The 1991 National Conference saw, on the one hand, the success of a civil society determined to occupy more and more important spaces and functions in the urban dynamics. On the other hand, the subsequent violence and political disturbances left a deep mark on the city of Lomé. The process of socio-spatial fragmentation that occurred in this period brought to the fore new social actors who were able to establish a particular relationship with the territory of the capital, assuming an important role in the local governement. This essay, the result of a field research made between 2007 and 2008, wants to show how the political changes of the nineties allowed the delegation of the city governement to social actors who had previously been marginalised, such as young people, women and affiliated associations. Furthermore we want to underline how the representation of the city has changed, thanks to a dynamic and evermore independent press.

Keywords: Togo, Lomé, Civil society, Political anthropology Urban anthropology

Serena Verde, Lomé: attori e processi di una transizione democratica in "STORIA URBANA " 126/127/2010, pp 67-93, DOI: 10.3280/SU2010-126004