CHAPTER THREE: DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE _____________________________________________________________________ The fifth category of constraints is linked to the strengthening of the technical services of the state. The success of decentralisation depends, here more than elsewhere, on the strong presence (both quantitative and qualitative), at the base, of technical services that are able to respond quickly and effectively to the demands of the people and of local authorities. This is not currently the case, and contributes to feed the suspicions and recriminations regarding the strong centralisation of power in Ouagadougou and the denial of effective decentralisation. What all of this means is that the implementation of decentralisation that brings with it real development in the Burkina Faso context has an enormous cost. Consequently, mobilisation of technical and financial resources for this purpose represents a major challenge for the government, Burkinabe society and development partners. 196. The idea of greater territorial deconcentration of administrative services and the pooling of some major services across provincial centres of expertise would perhaps challenge the public service to ensure greater efficiency. However, it is important that the administration in its dual, decentralised form get closer to rural Burkinabe populations. The adoption of a strategic framework for the implementation of decentralisation can lead to a clear and shared understanding of the desired developments. Moreover, the existence of a policy document relating to the training and capacity building of local officials, the creation of a permanent fund for the development of local authorities, the existence of umbrella associations of territorial authorities, and frameworks for consultation on decentralisation are all reasons indicating that there is hope for the future of decentralisation. The challenge, therefore, is to ensure effectiveness and accountability in the operationalisation of the strategy. 197. The specific situation with regard to traditional governance deserves special attention, since many concerns have been expressed about the inadequacy of texts in relation to local realities. One example is the lack of involvement of traditional authorities, even though they are at the centre of the system of social regulation. Indeed, in a largely rural country, these authorities still enjoy a high degree of legitimacy in the cities and inland towns and villages, which in fact constitute the bulk of the spatial arrangement of decentralisation. Their involvement in the democratic process is a source of conflict and confusion, contributing ultimately to the undermining and discrediting of the institution of chief. In consequence, numerous appeals have been made to formulate a definition of the status of chief that specifies the terms of political neutrality of customary and religious authorities. 198. Submission of the defence and security forces to civilian authorities. Although the CSAR remains silent on this issue, the uniqueness of the Burkinabe situation is worth noting. The recent political history of the country is strongly marked by the fingerprint of the military which, after carrying out coups and then imposing the revolution, has now embarked on the path of democracy. It is therefore understandable that the army still mobilises a large part of the elite for involvement in the management and operation of various public services and still plays an important, albeit low-key, role in political life. This explains the frequent military appointments in senior state offices and the administration. What must be borne in mind is that the masters of the 107