 four (4) local personalities from the Public Service appointed by the President of the Republic, including one (1) woman;  one (1) elected representative of Civil Society organizations working in the area of the fight against corruption;  one (1) elected private sector representative involved in economic or financial matters and appointed by the executive committee of the Niger Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and  one (1) elected representative of the women’s organizations. 27. High-Commission for the Modernization of the State: Established by Decree No. 2005361/PRN/PM of 30 December 2005, the High Commission for the Modernization of the State (HCME) attached to the Office of the Vice President is tasked with the design, supervision, coordination, monitoring and evaluating all the activities aimed at modernizing the State and local authorities in accordance with the guidelines specified by the government. As part of the decentralization process and in accordance with its terms of reference, the HCME, the successor to the Administrative Reform and Decentralization High Commission (HCRAD), formulated the body of laws and institutional documents guiding the decentralization process. It spearheaded the revision of the laws which led to formulation of the General Local Authorities Code, formulated the laws on the local authority financial support mechanism which led to the establishment of the National Local Authority Financing Agency (ANFICT) and finalized the draft decentralization charter. It also conducted a study aimed at strengthening the capacity of decentralization stakeholders which led to the creation of a single training window at the ENAM – the “Local Authority Management Training Centre” and prepared a draft National Decentralization Policy Document. On 12 July 2013, Cabinet considered and adopted the draft decree on the adoption of the National State Modernization Policy Document (Decree No. 2013-249/PRN/PM/HCME of 12 July 2013). With the advent of the 7th Republic and as part of the guidelines of the Niger Renaissance Programme (PRN), the HCME, in accordance with the objectives of the Prime Minister’s General Policy Statement, got involved in several projects in order to implement concrete modernization activities. Mention can be made of the preparation of the National State Modernization Policy Document (PNME), completion of the Dynamic Public Service Modernization Process (PDMSP), launch of the study on behavioural change among the leaders and the citizenry, formulation of the draft public services procedure manuals and the commencement of the activities of the Niger State Modernization and Decentralization project (MEDEN). 28. Traditional Chieftaincy: It is governed by Law No. 2015-01 of 13 January 2015 on the status of chieftaincy. In Niger, just like in many African countries, the role of the Traditional Chief continues to be dependent on the ancestral socio-cultural authenticities. The Traditional Chief is the custodian of the customs and mores which guarantee their respect. However, this traditional role has evolved with time because it has been suited to the missions of the Public Service and state power. That is how nowadays, the Traditional Chief also ensures the protection of individual and collective rights and freedoms of the citizens and communities under him, protection of social harmony and cohesion, respect for laws and regulations, respect for religious tolerance and customary practices insofar as these practices do not disturb public order and do not infringe the rights and freedoms of other members of the community. In addition to its terms of reference relating to the maintenance of the peace and social tranquillity, the Traditional Chief exercises his authority over all the people registered in the district, tribe, specific chieftaincy area, locality or sector, including foreigners who have settled in these towns and/or on the lands which depend on these towns. With regard to conflict prevention, peace keeping and social cohesion, the Traditional Chief has the power to reconcile parties in customary and civil matters as well as land transactions; he also settles matters relating to the use of farm and grazing lands by families or 19