Participatory control of domestic wastewater in Gbêkê region (Côte d'Ivoire): when marginalisation becomes an obstacle[Contrôle participatif du management des eaux usées domestiques dans la région de Gbêkê (Côte d’Ivoire) : quand la marginalisation devient un frein]

Participative environmental management is a current objective of local government. However, its implementation faces multiple structural, social and technical challenges. This article analyses the influence of marginalisation on participative control of domestic wastewater management in Bouaké and Sakassou, two urban areas in central Côte d'Ivoire. Using a mixed-methods approach, data collection techniques include semi-structured interviews (28 individuals) and household surveys (400 households), and related tools. The results reveal two control systems, with passive participation by households in the local control system for the management of domestic sanitation in urban areas. This passivity is reinforced by the fear of marginalisation. This is achieved through a community construction of deviance through labelling, before being dealt with by social sanction. The results of this research show that the search for active participation by local residents in controlling the management of their environment involves taking account of social logics such as the need to belong.