The Chari-Baguirmi region is divided into three departments: Baguirmi (capital of Massenya), Chari (capital of Mandélia) and Loug Chari (capital of Bousso). As a part of decentralisation in February 2003, the country was administratively split into regions, departments, municipalities and rural communities. The prefectures, which were originally 14 in number, were re-designated into 17 regions.