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The '''African Peer Review Mechanism''' (APRM) is a mutually agreed instrument voluntarily acceded to by the member states of the [[African Union]] (AU) as a self-monitoring mechanism. It was founded in 2003.


'''AFRICA’S SELF-ASSESSMENT FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE'''
The mandate of the APRM is to encourage conformity in regard to political, economic and corporate governance values, codes and standards, among African countries and the objectives in [[socio-economic]] [[Social development|development]] within the [[New Partnership for Africa's Development]].


A Specialized Agency of the African Union (AU), the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) was initiated in 2002 and established in 2003 by the African Union in the framework of the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
==Origins of APRM==


APRM is a tool for sharing experiences, reinforcing best practices, identifying deficiencies, and assessing capacity-building needs to foster policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration.
The 37th Summit of the [[Organisation of African Unity]] held in July 2001 in [[Lusaka]], [[Zambia]], adopted a document setting out a new vision for the revival and development of Africa—which was to become known as the [[New Partnership for Africa's Development]] (NEPAD).
Member countries within the APRM undertake self-monitoring in all aspects of their governance and socio-economic development. African Union (AU) stakeholders participate in the self-assessment of all branches of government – executive, legislative and judicial – as well as the private sector, civil society and the media. The APRM Review Process gives member states a space for national dialogue on governance and socio-economic indicators and an opportunity to build consensus on the way forward.
The APR Forum of Heads of State and Government adopted the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan and the APRM Statute at the 25th Summit of the APR Forum held in Nairobi, Kenya. The 28th AU Assembly of Heads of States and Government further extended the APRM’s mandate to include tracking of the implementation and overseeing the Continent’s key governance initiatives. In addition, the AU Assembly further extended the mandate of the APRM to include monitoring of the implementation of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Agenda 2030.


FOUR TYPES COUNTRY REVIEWS
In July 2002, the Durban AU summit supplemented NEPAD with a Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance. According to the Declaration, states participating in NEPAD ‘believe in just, honest, transparent, accountable and participatory government and probity in public life’. Accordingly, they ‘undertake to work with renewed determination to enforce’, among other things, the rule of law; the equality of all citizens before the law; individual and collective freedoms; the right to participate in free, credible and democratic political processes; and adherence to the separation of powers, including protection for the independence of the judiciary and the effectiveness of parliaments.
1. Base Review – carried out immediately after a country becomes a member of the APRM
2. Periodic Review every four years
3. Requested Review – requested by the member country itself outside the framework of mandated reviews
4. A Review commissioned by the APR Forum when there are early signs of pending political and economic crisis.


FOUR THEMATIC AREAS
The Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance also committed participating states to establish an African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to promote adherence to and fulfilment of its commitments. The Durban summit adopted a document setting out the stages of peer review and the principles by which the APRM should operate.


• Democracy and Political Governance (DPG)
In March 2003, the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee, meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, adopted a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the APRM. This MOU effectively operates as a treaty; it came into effect immediately with the agreement of six countries to be subject to its terms. Those countries that do not accede to the document are not subject to review. The March 2003 meeting also adopted a set of ‘objectives, standards, criteria and indicators’ for the APRM. The meeting agreed to the establishment of a secretariat for the APRM and the appointment of a seven-person ‘panel of eminent persons’ to oversee the conduct of the APRM process and ensure its integrity.
• Economic Governance and Management (EGM)
• Corporate Governance (CG)
• Broad-based Sustainable Socio-economic Development (SED)


==Participation==
The APRM is a voluntary mechanism open to any AU country . A country formally joins the APRM upon depositing the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of March 9, 2003, at the [[NEPAD]] Secretariat.<ref>MOU par. 13</ref>


THE FIVE STAGES OF A PEER REVIEW
As of early-2012, 33 countries had formally joined the APRM by signing the MOU on the APRM. [[Algeria]], [[Republic of Congo]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Ghana]], [[Kenya]], [[Mozambique]], [[Nigeria]], [[Rwanda]], [[South Africa]] and [[Uganda]] signed the MOU in March 2003;<ref>Communiqué issued at the end of the Sixth Summit of the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Abuja, Sunday, 9 March 2003</ref> [[Burkina Faso]], [[Cameroon]], [[Gabon]], [[Mali]] and [[Senegal]] in April and May 2003;<ref>Communique Issued at the end of the Seventh Summit of the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of The New Partnership for Africa's Development, Abuja, Wednesday, 28 May 2003</ref> [[Mauritius]] in July 2003;<ref>Communiqué issued at the end of the Eighth Summit of the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Maputo, Mozambique, 9 July 2003</ref> [[Egypt]]<ref>[http://www.sis.gov.eg/en/LastPage.aspx?Category_ID=108 Egypt State Information Service page on APRM]</ref> and [[Benin]]<ref>[http://aprm-au.org/sites/default/files/cr6_benin_eng2008.pdf APRM Country Review Report No.6: Republic of Benin], January 2008, p.1.</ref> in March 2004; [[Angola]], [[Lesotho]], [[Malawi]], [[Sierra Leone]] and [[Tanzania]], in July 2004;<ref>[http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Project-and-Operations/00798283-EN-APRM-GHANA-REVIEW-REPORT-JUNE-2005.PDF APRM Country Review Report No.1: Republic of Ghana], June 2005, p.2.</ref> [[Sudan]] and [[Zambia]] in January 2006;<ref>Communiqué issued at the end of the 4th Summit of the Committee of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 22 January 2006, Khartoum, Sudan.</ref> [[São Tomé and Príncipe]] in January 2007;<ref>APRM Country Review Report No.4: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, July 2007, p.30.</ref> [[Djibouti]] in July 2007,<ref>Communique issued at the end of the 7th Summit of the Committee of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 1 July 2007, Accra, Ghana.</ref> [[Mauritania]] in January 2008,<ref>Communique issued at the end of the 8th Summit of the Committee of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 30 January 2008, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.</ref> [[Togo]] in July 2008;<ref>Communique issued at the end of the 9th Summit of the Committee of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 29 June 2008, Sharm El Sheik, Egypt.</ref> [[Cape Verde]] in 2009;<ref>Communique issued at the end of the Eleventh Summit of Heads of State and Government Participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 30 June 2009, Sirte, Libya. The status of Cape Verde is in fact not clear : at the 30 June 2009 summit its accession was accepted in principle, but the signed MOU had not been deposited by the end of the year.</ref> [[Liberia]] in January 2011;<ref>“Liberia will accede to APRM at the 14th Forum of Heads of State and Governments”, Press Release, APRM Secretariat, 12 January 2011.</ref> and [[Equatorial Guinea]] in July 2011.<ref>[http://www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/equatorial-guinea-to-become-aprm%27s-31st-member-wednesday-2011062916845.html Equatorial Guinea to become APRM's 31st member Wednesday], Afrique en ligne / PANA, 28 June 2011</ref> In January 2012,Professor Mohamed-Séghir Babès, the outgoing Chairman of the Panel of Eminent Persons announced the expected accession of Niger and Guinea which brings the total number of states to 33.<ref>Communique issued at the end of the Sixteenth Summit of Heads of State and Government Participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 28 January 2012, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. http://maep-ua.org//sites/default/files/16TH%20APR%20FORUM%20-%20FINAL%20COMMUNIQUE.pdf</ref>
1. CONSULTATION The APR Secretariat and the Country under review consult on the process overview and terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The Country under review creates a Focal Point to liaise with the Secretariat and provide it with relevant laws, treaty ratifications, budgets and development plans. The Secretariat prepares a background assessment document. At the same time, the Country under review independently completes the APR Self-Assessment Questionnaire, gathers inputs from civil society and drafts a paper outlining the nation’s issues and a National Programme of Action (NPoA) with clear steps and deadlines on how it plans to conform to APRM codes and standards, the African Union Charter, and UN obligations. The Country Review Team that is set up writes a report outlining issues to be focused on during the review mission.
2. THE REVIEW MISSION visits the Country under review and conducts broad-based consultations with government, officials, political parties, parliamentarians, and representatives of civil society organisations (e.g. media, academia, trade unions, professional bodies), and the private sector. The mission typically lasts two-and-a-half to three weeks.
3. DRAFT REPORT: The APR Country Review Team drafts a report on the Country under review.
4. THE PEER REVIEW takes place at the level of the APR Forum, using the APR Panel’s report on the team’s findings as a basis. The APR Forum discusses these recommendations with the Reviewed Country’s leadership.
5. FINAL REPORT Within six months, after the peer review, the published Country Review Report must be tabled in sub-regional institutions (Pan-African Parliament, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, AU Peace and Security Council, Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union [ECOSOCC AU]). The report is then made publicly available.


THE SECOND GENERATION REVIEW
==Review==
The objective of the APRM Second Generation Review is to assess progress made in Governance and Socio-economic Development in Member States in the period since the Base Review. The specific objectives are to:
The APRM process is based on a "self-assessment" questionnaire developed by the APR Secretariat. It is divided into four sections: democracy and political governance, economic governance and management, corporate governance, and socio-economic development. Its questions are designed to assess states' compliance with a wide range of African and international human rights treaties and standards. The questionnaire was formally adopted in February 2004, in Kigali, Rwanda, by the first meeting of the APR Forum, made up of representatives of the heads of state or government of all states participating in the APRM.
• reinvigorate, rationalize and institutionalize the APRM in governance reforms within a
Member State;
• appraise to what extent the National Programme of Action (NPoA) is implemented and its continued relevance, on the basis of which a new NPOA with a few key actions will be proposed;
• facilitate the development of a second NPOA with greater focus and based only on key actions; and
• make the APRM Review process more relevant to citizens’ needs, more cost-effective and in tune with the Agenda 2063 priorities and goals.


WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE COUNTRY REVIEW?
Before the questionnaire was adopted and after the initial plans for the APRM were laid down by [[South Africa]] and others, some press reports stated that, after pressure from other African countries like [[Nigeria]] and [[Libya]], [[Thabo Mbeki]] changed his mind and did not want political governance to be included within the APRM reviews. According to the reports, [[Mbeki]] believed that review of political governance was something for the [[African Union]]. [[Jean Chrétien]], then president of the [[G8]], sent a letter to [[Mbeki]] demanding clarifications and expressing his concern that these AU organs are ‘politicized’ and will therefore not produce credible reviews.<ref>Canadian Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew's after the letter of Mbeki: "The six billion dollars is conditional on all Nepad elements, of which good governance is a part -- and peer review is a part of that", reporting by AFP, November 20, 2002; see also [http://www.namibian.com.na/2002/November/africa/0298924BEB.html Canada insists on Nepad peer review] ''The Namibian'', 20 November 2002.</ref> In a public letter Mbeki denied the charges and stated that countries would voluntarily subject themselves to review of all aspects of [[good governance]], including political, under the APRM, but that other AU institutions might be more appropriate to deal with some issues.<ref>The text of the letter is available at http://www.sarpn.org.za/documents/d0000137/index.php</ref>
The National Programme of Action (NPoA) is divided into short-term, medium-term and long-term goals and is continuously monitored by the National Governance Commission/Governing Council, or a smaller body of state and non-state representatives. Progress Reports on implementation are presented annually to the APR Forum. The APR Secretariat follows up on commitments made, holds regional workshops to share best practices identified in the reviews, and offers technical support to fulfill APRM plans.


===Types of review===
As originally envisaged in the APRM Base Document adopted at the AU Durban summit in 2002, there are four types of review:
1- Base review: This is carried out within eighteen months of a country becoming member of the APRM;
2- Periodic review: Every two to four years;
3- Requested review: Any country can request an additional review for its own reasons;
4- ‘Crisis’ review: Early signs of impending political or economic crisis would also be sufficient cause to institute a review.<ref>Base document par. 14</ref>


However, in practice, it seems likely that only base reviews will be conducted for the foreseeable future: the review process for the first four countries—Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius and Rwanda—has taken at least eighteen months (Ghana) and perhaps up to three years or more (Mauritius), since they were first announced in Kigali in February 2004.


GOVERNING BODIES OF THE APRM
==APRM structures==


===APR Forum===
APR FORUM
(Committee of Participating Heads of State and Government)
This is the Committee of the Heads of State and Government of the countries voluntarily participating in the APRM. It is the highest decision-making body and could be considered like the [[board of directors]] which has the final say over the whole process. They appoint the APR Panel, look after the funding, discuss the country reports, apply the peer pressure and transmit the reports to the relevant AU structures.<ref>Organisation and Processes par. 2.2</ref>
Highest decision-making authority.


===APR Panel===
APR PANEL
(Panel of Eminent Persons)
This can be considered as the management or the executive of the APRM that directs and manages its operations . They are ‘appointed to oversee the review process to ensure the integrity of the process, to consider review reports and to make recommendations to the APR Forum’ . According to the base document, and repeated in the Organisation and Processes document, its precise mission and duties however are supposed to be outlined in a Charter, which will also spell out reporting arrangements to the APR Forum . However, more than three years after the installation of the Panel, this Charter has still not been written.
Oversees the review process to ensure its independence, professionalism and credibility, and reports to the Forum. The APR Panel is also responsible for selecting and appointing and the Review Teams.


COMMITTEE OF FOCAL POINTS
The panel consists of 7 eminent persons of ‘high moral stature and demonstrated commitment to the ideals of [[Pan Africanism]]’ who, moreover, have ‘expertise in the areas of political governance, macro-economic management, public financial management and [[corporate governance]]’ . Its composition should also reflect a regional, gender and cultural balance . The panel members are nominated by the participating countries, short listed by a Committee of Ministers, appointed by the APR Forum and serve for up to four years (five for the chairman) .
Committee of representatives of Heads of State and Government
Manages the budgetary process, resource mobilisation through Member States, Strategic and Development Partners, and the APRM Trust Fund and Audit.


National Governing Council (NGC)
Each country to be reviewed is assigned to one of the seven eminent persons, who consider and review reports, and make recommendations to the APR Forum. As of July 2006, the seven ‘eminent persons’ were: Marie Angelique Savane (Senegal), Chairperson; Adebayo Adedeji (Nigeria); Bethuel Kiplagat (Kenya); Graça Machel (Mozambique); Mohammed Babes (Algeria, replacing the original Algerian appointee, Mourad Medelci); [[Dorothy L. Njeuma]] (Cameroon); and Chris Stals (South Africa).
The National Governance Commission/National Governing Council (NGC) is the body that oversees implementation of the APRM process at the Member State level. In addition to providing guidance in terms of policy direction, the NGC ensures professionalism, credibility and independence of the national APRM self-assessment and review processes. The NGC is composed of key stakeholder groups from government, civil society and the private sector, in line with the APRM principle of broad-based participation.


APRM SECRETARIAT
On 30 January 2012,former Deputy President of South Africa, Baleka Mbete, was elected at the 16th Summit of the Committee of Participating Heads of State and Government of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APR Forum)to sit on the Panel of Eminent Persons.<ref>BUA News, SA Government News portla, http://www.buanews.gov.za/news/12/12012912351001</ref> She is the only sitting representative of a Southern African country, and will join panel members Barrister Julienne Ondziel Gnelenga (Republic of Congo), Barrister Akere T. Muna (Cameroon), Ambassador Professor Okon Edet Uya (Nigeria), Ambassador Ashraf Gamal (Egypt), Dr. Mekideche Mustapha (Algeria), Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza Nyirakobwa (Rwanda) and the Panel’s newly elected Chairperson, Professor Amos Sawyer (Liberia). Following a decision to increase the size of the body, the APR Forum intends to elect a ninth Panel member at the 17th Summit in June 2012.<ref>Communique issued at the end of the Sixteenth Summit of Heads of State and Government Participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 28 January 2012, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.http://maep-ua.org//sites/default/files/16TH%20APR%20FORUM%20-%20FINAL%20COMMUNIQUE.pdf</ref>
Provides technical, coordinating and administrative support services. It must have sufficient capacity for the analytical work that underpins the peer review process.


===APR Secretariat===
The Secretariat provides ‘the secretarial, technical, coordinating and administrative support services for the APRM’. It is ‘supervised directly by the Chairperson of the APR Panel at the policy level and in the day-to-day management and administration by an Executive Officer’. The Secretariat is based in Midrand, South Africa, not far from the NEPAD secretariat.


===APR Country Review Team===
They are appointed by the APR Panel, one of whose members heads the team, and are ‘constituted only for the period of the country review visit’. Their composition is ‘carefully designed to enable an integrated, balanced, technically competent and professional assessment of the reviewed country’.


MEMBERSHIP OF THE APRM
===APR focal point===
This is a national mechanism set up by a participating country in order to play a communication and co-ordination role. It should serve, as Ayesha Kajee puts it, ‘as the liaison between national structures and continental ones such as the APR Secretariat and the APR Panel’. It should also, in conjunction with the National Co-ordinating mechanism, ‘develop, co-ordinate and implement the in-country mechanisms of preparing for peer review and hosting the country review team during the review visit’. The precise form of the Focal point is left to the country's discretion, but according to the APR Forum, it ‘should be at Ministerial level or a High-Level Official reporting directly to the Head of State or Government and with access to all national stakeholders’.


Membership of the APRM is voluntary and open to all African Union (AU) countries. Accession begins with an expression of interest in membership followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the country and the APR Forum.
===National co-ordinating structure===
Here the actual implementation of the APRM at the national level happens. The country's self-assessment happens here by conducting, as the MOU mandates, ‘broad-based and all-inclusive’ consultation of key stakeholders in the public and private sectors. In addition, together with the Focal point it should ‘develop, co-ordinate and implement the in-country mechanisms of preparing for peer review and hosting the country review team during the review visit’. As with the Focal point, countries have a discretion as to how this is implemented.


==Review process==


===Preliminary phase or ‘Support Mission’===
The country support mission primary purpose is to ‘ensure a common understanding of the philosophy, rules and processes of the APRM’ and to help countries who need support with ‘aspects of the national processes’. The Guidelines further specify what the latter might mean, namely help with ‘institutional and organizational arrangements for involving major stakeholders’ in the review process, with the development of a realistic Programme of Action and with expertise not readily available in the country . In order to do this they will meet with the authorities in the country responsible for the APR process (the APR Focal Point) and with representatives of all the major stakeholders.


36 Member Countries
===Stage one===
Algeria
The first stage is preparatory for both the APR Secretariat and the national authorities. The country in question has to answer a detailed questionnaire, on the basis of which a self-assessment is completed. The APRM Secretariat for its part will make a background study of the country's [[governance]] and [[Economic development|development]]. After this has been shared with the country concerned and other partner institutions and after the self-assessment has been made, the country in question will issue a draft Programme of Action . In the development of this Programme that participation of all stakeholders must be ensured, ‘including [[trade unions]], women, youth, [[civil society]], private sector, rural communities and professional associations’ . In the Programme it will suggest a time-bound framework for implementing the Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate [[Governance]]. After the Programme of Action and questionnaire have been submitted to the APR Secretariat, the Secretariat will draw up an Issues Paper. It is possible that on the basis of this paper the Secretariat will decide that certain issues need a more in-depth assessment (‘Technical assessments’) before that stage two is initiated. If there are Technical Assessments, these can lead to the update of the Issues Paper and possibly the Programme of Action . The APRM Secretariat also makes a suggestion to the APR Panel regarding the composition of the Country Review team.
Angola
Benin
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Chad
Côte d’Ivoire
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Ghana
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mozambique
Republic of Niger
Namibia
Nigeria
Republic of Congo
Rwanda
Sao Tome & Principe
Senegal
Sierra Leone
South Africa
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia


STRATEGIC PARTNERS
===Stage two===
The APRM has entered into special support agreements with partner institutions designated by the Forum as Strategic Partners. These are: African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), the African Development Bank (AfDB); Mo Ibrahim Foundation; United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); Office of the Special Advisor on Africa (OSAA); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Africa.
In the second stage the review team will visit the country and ‘carry out the widest possible range of consultations with the [[government]], officials, political parties, parliamentarians and representatives of [[civil society]] organizations (including the [[Mass media|media]], [[academia]], [[trade unions]], [[business]], [[professional bodies]])’.


===Stage three===
In the third stage the draft report is compiled. This report is based on the findings of the review team during their visit, the background research the APR Secretariat has made and on the Issues paper compiled by the APR Secretariat. The draft is then discussed with the government concerned. These discussions are meant ‘to ensure the accuracy of the report and to provide the Government with an opportunity both to react to the APR Team's findings and to put forward its own views on how the identified shortcomings may be addressed’. The report is supposed to evaluate a country's performance by taking into account the commitments made in the draft Programme of Action. It will also state what the remaining weaknesses are and recommend further action for the final Programme of Action.


CONTACT US
===Stage four===
The review team's report and the final Programme of Action compiled by the [[Government]], is sent to the APR Secretariat and the APR Panel. Then the report is submitted to the APR Forum of participating heads of state and government for consideration and formulation of actions deemed necessary .


P.O. Box 1234, Halfway House
It is at this stage that the actual ‘peer pressure’ is applied if necessary. Here the full quotation of the APRM base document (par. 24) is in its place: "If the Government of the country in question shows a demonstrable will to rectify the identified shortcomings, then it will be incumbent upon participating Governments to provide what assistance they can, as well as to urge donor governments and agencies also to come to the assistance of the country reviewed. However, if the necessary political will is not forthcoming from the Government, the participating states should first do everything practicable to engage it in constructive dialogue, offering in the process technical and other appropriate assistance. If dialogue proves unavailing, the participating Heads of State and Government may wish to put the Government on notice of their collective intention to proceed with appropriate measures by a given date. The interval should concentrate the mind of the Government and provide a further opportunity for addressing the identified shortcomings under a process of constructive dialogue. All considered, such measures should always be utilized as a last resort."
Midrand 1685, South Africa.


Physical Address:
===Stage five===
No 230; 15th Road, First Floor; Randjespark; Midrand, 1682
According to paragraph 25 of the base document the report ‘should be formally and publicly tabled in key regional and sub-regional structures such as the Pan-African Parliament, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the […] Peace and Security Council (PSC) [inaugurated in May 2004], and the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the African Union.’. This is when the report will be publicly available.


Tel: + 27 11 256 3401
===After the review===
Website: www.aprm-au.org
A country is then supposed to implement its Programme of Action. Implicit in the whole APRM formula is that foreign donors would kick in here and bear some, if not a large part, of the cost connected to the implementation of this plan of action that is supposed to improve the identified shortcomings in [[governance]]. After this base review is concluded, a periodic review should follow every two to four years.


Follow us
==Funding==
Facebook: AfricanPeerRiewMechanism
The APRM is primarily funded by contributions from participating countries, and funds from "development partners" such as [[Canada]], the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[UNDP]]. The APRM reported contributions of some US$17.3 million in 2007, with US$10.5 million coming from development partners. Many member states failed to meet the minimum contribution of $100,000.<ref>Gruzd, Steven (29 June 2009) [http://allafrica.com/stories/200906291358.html "Africa: The African Peer Review Mechanism - Progress and Prospects"] South African Institute of International Affairs (Johannesburg)</ref>
Twitter: @APRMorg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/APRMechanism


Download APRM App on the App Store or Play store
==See also==

*[[New Partnership for Africa's Development]]
*[[African Union]]

==Notes==
<references/>

==Bibliography==

===APRM documents===
* [http://www.nepad.org/2005/files/documents/49.pdf APRM Base document] The APRM base document
* [http://www.nepad.org/2005/files/documents/111.pdf Memorandum of Understanding on the APRM] The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
* [http://www.nepad.org/2005/files/aprm/aprmguidelinesforcountryreview200104final.pdf Guidelines] Guidelines for Countries to prepare for and participate in the APRM
* [http://www.nepad.org/2005/files/documents/48.pdf Organisation and Processes] Organisation and Processes
* [http://www.nepad.org/2005/files/documents/110.pdf The objectives, standards, criteria and indicators for the APRM] Accessed on May 27, 2006.

===Critiques and studies of the APRM process===
* [http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/OP29.pdf An Analysis of the Implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism in Ghana, Kenya and Mauritius] Grant Masterson, EISA, February 2005
* [http://www.sarpn.org.za/documents/d0000954/index.php NEPAD’s APRM: A Progress Report, Practical Limitations and Challenges] Paper by Ayesha Kajee on the APRM, 2004, accessed on May 27, 2006.
* [http://saiia.org.za/images/upload/eafricaoct2003.pdf Becoming my brother's keeper] eAfrica October 2003 by Ross Herbert, accessed on May 27, 2006.
* [http://www.afrimap.org/english/images/report/APRM_Kenya_EN.pdf The APRM process in Kenya: A pathway to a new state?] Report by OSIEA/AfriMAP, April 2007
* [http://www.afrimap.org/english/images/report/APRM%20Rwanda%20ENG.pdf Critical review of the African Peer Review Mechanism Process in Rwanda] Report by Ligue des Droits de la Personne dans la Région des Grands Lacs (LDGL), January 2007
*[http://www.pacweb.org/e/images/stories/documents/between%20hope%20and%20scepticism-oct%202005-electronic%20version-low%20resolution.pdf Between Hope and Scepticism: Civil Society and the African Peer Review Mechanism] Partnership Africa Canada, October 2005
*[http://www.uneca.org/chdcs/chdcs3/Strategies_for_promoting_APRM_CHDCS3.pdf Strategies for promoting effective stakeholder participation in the African Peer Review Mechanism], UNECA, 2005
*[http://afraf.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/adi124v1 Inadequately Self-Critical: Rwanda’s Self-Assessment for the African Peer Review Mechanism] Eduard Jordaan, ''African Affairs'', April 2006
*[http://www.undp.org/oslocentre/docs07/eric_opoku_final.pdf Effective Stakeholder Participation. in the APRM Process for the Promotion. of Democratic Governance:. A Case Study of Ghana], Eric Opoku, UNDP, December 2006
*[http://www.afrimap.org/english/images/report/AfriMAP_APRM_Ghana_EN.pdf Ghana and the APRM: A Critical Assessment], Adotey Bing-Pappoe, AfriMAP & OSIWA, June 2007
*[http://www.afrimap.org/english/images/report/AfriMAP_APRM_Mauritius_EN.pdf The African Peer Review Mechanism in Mauritius: Lessons from Phase I] Sheila Bunwaree, AfriMAP & OSISA, August 2007
*[http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/development/docs/A-HRC-8-WG.2-TF-CRP5.doc Further analysis of the African Peer Review Mechanism and the ECA/OECD-DAC Mutual Review of Development Effectiveness in the context of NEPAD] Report to the [http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/development/taskforce2008.htm UN High Level Task Force on the Implementation of the Right to Development], January 2008
* [http://www.saiia.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=802:the-african-peer-review-mechanism-lessons-from-the-pioneers&catid=3:books&Itemid=137 The African Peer Review Mechanism: Lessons from the Pioneers], Ross Herbert and Steven Gruzd, South African Institute of International Affairs, March 2008
*[http://www.saiia.org.za/images/stories/pubs/sops/saia_sop_02_odoi_20080626_en.pdf Civil Society Participation in Uganda’s APRM Process] Juliet Nakato Odoi, SAIIA, June 2008
*[http://www.saiia.org.za/images/stories/pubs/sops/saia_sop_03_odac_20080626_en.pdf Assessing South Africa’s APRM: An NGO Perspective], Nick Hutchings, Mukelani Dimba, and Alison Tilley, SAIIA, June 2008
*[http://www.saiia.org.za/images/stories/pubs/sops/saia_sop_05_aggad_20080702_en.pdf Addressing the African Peer Review Mechanism's Programmes of Action], Faten Aggad, SAIIA, June 2008
*[http://www.saiia.org.za/images/stories/pubs/sops/saia_sop_04_katito_20080702_en.pdf Understanding APRM Research: Planning, Process and Politics. A Practical Handbook for Peer Review Research], George Katito, SAIIA, June 2008
*[http://www.afrimap.org/english/images/report/APRM%20Nigeria%20ENG%20web.pdf The African Peer Review Process in Nigeria], Adele Jinadu, AfriMAP, August 2008
*[http://www.afrimap.org/english/images/report/AfriMAP_APRM_Benin_EN.pdf Benin and the African Peer Review Mechanism: Consolidating Democratic Achievements] Gilles Badet, AfriMAP, August 2008
*[http://www.saiia.org.za/images/stories/pubs/sops/saia_sop_12_boyle_20080925_en.pdf Making the News: Why the APRM Didn't], Brendan Boyle, SAIIA, September 2008
*[http://www.saiia.org.za/images/stories/pubs/sops/saia_sop_11_louw_20080925_en.pdf Media Freedom, Transparency and Governance], Raymond Louw, SAIIA, September 2008

==External links==
* [http://www.aprm-international.org APRM official website]
* [http://www.afrimap.org AfriMAP] The Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project of the Open Society Institute has a news archive of stories relevant to the APRM and has published reviews of the APRM process in different countries.
* [http://www.saiia.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102:governanceandaprmproject&catid=2:governance-and-the-aprm&Itemid=148 South African Institute of International Affairs] project on the APRM and Governance. Includes links to the original APRM Toolkit, with many useful documents and analyses of the peer review and governance in Africa.
* [http://www.uneca.org/aprm/ UNECA and the APRM] UN Economic Commission for Africa webpage on the APRM
* [http://www.iss.co.za/AF/RegOrg/nepad/index.htm Institute of Security Studies] webpage of NEPAD and APRM documents
* [http://www.eisa.org.za/EISA/aprm.htm Electoral Institute of Southern Africa] webpage on APRM including toolkit for civil society
* [http://www.pacweb.org/programs-african-peer-e.php Partnership Africa Canada] webpage on APRM including background documents for civil society
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'{{use dmy dates|date=April 2013}} {{Politics of the African Union mini|financial|width=5em}} The '''African Peer Review Mechanism''' (APRM) is a mutually agreed instrument voluntarily acceded to by the member states of the [[African Union]] (AU) as a self-monitoring mechanism. It was founded in 2003. The mandate of the APRM is to encourage conformity in regard to political, economic and corporate governance values, codes and standards, among African countries and the objectives in [[socio-economic]] [[Social development|development]] within the [[New Partnership for Africa's Development]]. ==Origins of APRM== The 37th Summit of the [[Organisation of African Unity]] held in July 2001 in [[Lusaka]], [[Zambia]], adopted a document setting out a new vision for the revival and development of Africa—which was to become known as the [[New Partnership for Africa's Development]] (NEPAD). In July 2002, the Durban AU summit supplemented NEPAD with a Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance. According to the Declaration, states participating in NEPAD ‘believe in just, honest, transparent, accountable and participatory government and probity in public life’. Accordingly, they ‘undertake to work with renewed determination to enforce’, among other things, the rule of law; the equality of all citizens before the law; individual and collective freedoms; the right to participate in free, credible and democratic political processes; and adherence to the separation of powers, including protection for the independence of the judiciary and the effectiveness of parliaments. The Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance also committed participating states to establish an African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to promote adherence to and fulfilment of its commitments. The Durban summit adopted a document setting out the stages of peer review and the principles by which the APRM should operate. In March 2003, the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee, meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, adopted a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the APRM. This MOU effectively operates as a treaty; it came into effect immediately with the agreement of six countries to be subject to its terms. Those countries that do not accede to the document are not subject to review. The March 2003 meeting also adopted a set of ‘objectives, standards, criteria and indicators’ for the APRM. The meeting agreed to the establishment of a secretariat for the APRM and the appointment of a seven-person ‘panel of eminent persons’ to oversee the conduct of the APRM process and ensure its integrity. ==Participation== The APRM is a voluntary mechanism open to any AU country . A country formally joins the APRM upon depositing the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of March 9, 2003, at the [[NEPAD]] Secretariat.<ref>MOU par. 13</ref> As of early-2012, 33 countries had formally joined the APRM by signing the MOU on the APRM. [[Algeria]], [[Republic of Congo]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Ghana]], [[Kenya]], [[Mozambique]], [[Nigeria]], [[Rwanda]], [[South Africa]] and [[Uganda]] signed the MOU in March 2003;<ref>Communiqué issued at the end of the Sixth Summit of the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Abuja, Sunday, 9 March 2003</ref> [[Burkina Faso]], [[Cameroon]], [[Gabon]], [[Mali]] and [[Senegal]] in April and May 2003;<ref>Communique Issued at the end of the Seventh Summit of the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of The New Partnership for Africa's Development, Abuja, Wednesday, 28 May 2003</ref> [[Mauritius]] in July 2003;<ref>Communiqué issued at the end of the Eighth Summit of the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Maputo, Mozambique, 9 July 2003</ref> [[Egypt]]<ref>[http://www.sis.gov.eg/en/LastPage.aspx?Category_ID=108 Egypt State Information Service page on APRM]</ref> and [[Benin]]<ref>[http://aprm-au.org/sites/default/files/cr6_benin_eng2008.pdf APRM Country Review Report No.6: Republic of Benin], January 2008, p.1.</ref> in March 2004; [[Angola]], [[Lesotho]], [[Malawi]], [[Sierra Leone]] and [[Tanzania]], in July 2004;<ref>[http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Project-and-Operations/00798283-EN-APRM-GHANA-REVIEW-REPORT-JUNE-2005.PDF APRM Country Review Report No.1: Republic of Ghana], June 2005, p.2.</ref> [[Sudan]] and [[Zambia]] in January 2006;<ref>Communiqué issued at the end of the 4th Summit of the Committee of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 22 January 2006, Khartoum, Sudan.</ref> [[São Tomé and Príncipe]] in January 2007;<ref>APRM Country Review Report No.4: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, July 2007, p.30.</ref> [[Djibouti]] in July 2007,<ref>Communique issued at the end of the 7th Summit of the Committee of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 1 July 2007, Accra, Ghana.</ref> [[Mauritania]] in January 2008,<ref>Communique issued at the end of the 8th Summit of the Committee of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 30 January 2008, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.</ref> [[Togo]] in July 2008;<ref>Communique issued at the end of the 9th Summit of the Committee of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 29 June 2008, Sharm El Sheik, Egypt.</ref> [[Cape Verde]] in 2009;<ref>Communique issued at the end of the Eleventh Summit of Heads of State and Government Participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 30 June 2009, Sirte, Libya. The status of Cape Verde is in fact not clear : at the 30 June 2009 summit its accession was accepted in principle, but the signed MOU had not been deposited by the end of the year.</ref> [[Liberia]] in January 2011;<ref>“Liberia will accede to APRM at the 14th Forum of Heads of State and Governments”, Press Release, APRM Secretariat, 12 January 2011.</ref> and [[Equatorial Guinea]] in July 2011.<ref>[http://www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/equatorial-guinea-to-become-aprm%27s-31st-member-wednesday-2011062916845.html Equatorial Guinea to become APRM's 31st member Wednesday], Afrique en ligne / PANA, 28 June 2011</ref> In January 2012,Professor Mohamed-Séghir Babès, the outgoing Chairman of the Panel of Eminent Persons announced the expected accession of Niger and Guinea which brings the total number of states to 33.<ref>Communique issued at the end of the Sixteenth Summit of Heads of State and Government Participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 28 January 2012, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. http://maep-ua.org//sites/default/files/16TH%20APR%20FORUM%20-%20FINAL%20COMMUNIQUE.pdf</ref> ==Review== The APRM process is based on a "self-assessment" questionnaire developed by the APR Secretariat. It is divided into four sections: democracy and political governance, economic governance and management, corporate governance, and socio-economic development. Its questions are designed to assess states' compliance with a wide range of African and international human rights treaties and standards. The questionnaire was formally adopted in February 2004, in Kigali, Rwanda, by the first meeting of the APR Forum, made up of representatives of the heads of state or government of all states participating in the APRM. Before the questionnaire was adopted and after the initial plans for the APRM were laid down by [[South Africa]] and others, some press reports stated that, after pressure from other African countries like [[Nigeria]] and [[Libya]], [[Thabo Mbeki]] changed his mind and did not want political governance to be included within the APRM reviews. According to the reports, [[Mbeki]] believed that review of political governance was something for the [[African Union]]. [[Jean Chrétien]], then president of the [[G8]], sent a letter to [[Mbeki]] demanding clarifications and expressing his concern that these AU organs are ‘politicized’ and will therefore not produce credible reviews.<ref>Canadian Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew's after the letter of Mbeki: "The six billion dollars is conditional on all Nepad elements, of which good governance is a part -- and peer review is a part of that", reporting by AFP, November 20, 2002; see also [http://www.namibian.com.na/2002/November/africa/0298924BEB.html Canada insists on Nepad peer review] ''The Namibian'', 20 November 2002.</ref> In a public letter Mbeki denied the charges and stated that countries would voluntarily subject themselves to review of all aspects of [[good governance]], including political, under the APRM, but that other AU institutions might be more appropriate to deal with some issues.<ref>The text of the letter is available at http://www.sarpn.org.za/documents/d0000137/index.php</ref> ===Types of review=== As originally envisaged in the APRM Base Document adopted at the AU Durban summit in 2002, there are four types of review: 1- Base review: This is carried out within eighteen months of a country becoming member of the APRM; 2- Periodic review: Every two to four years; 3- Requested review: Any country can request an additional review for its own reasons; 4- ‘Crisis’ review: Early signs of impending political or economic crisis would also be sufficient cause to institute a review.<ref>Base document par. 14</ref> However, in practice, it seems likely that only base reviews will be conducted for the foreseeable future: the review process for the first four countries—Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius and Rwanda—has taken at least eighteen months (Ghana) and perhaps up to three years or more (Mauritius), since they were first announced in Kigali in February 2004. ==APRM structures== ===APR Forum=== This is the Committee of the Heads of State and Government of the countries voluntarily participating in the APRM. It is the highest decision-making body and could be considered like the [[board of directors]] which has the final say over the whole process. They appoint the APR Panel, look after the funding, discuss the country reports, apply the peer pressure and transmit the reports to the relevant AU structures.<ref>Organisation and Processes par. 2.2</ref> ===APR Panel=== This can be considered as the management or the executive of the APRM that directs and manages its operations . They are ‘appointed to oversee the review process to ensure the integrity of the process, to consider review reports and to make recommendations to the APR Forum’ . According to the base document, and repeated in the Organisation and Processes document, its precise mission and duties however are supposed to be outlined in a Charter, which will also spell out reporting arrangements to the APR Forum . However, more than three years after the installation of the Panel, this Charter has still not been written. The panel consists of 7 eminent persons of ‘high moral stature and demonstrated commitment to the ideals of [[Pan Africanism]]’ who, moreover, have ‘expertise in the areas of political governance, macro-economic management, public financial management and [[corporate governance]]’ . Its composition should also reflect a regional, gender and cultural balance . The panel members are nominated by the participating countries, short listed by a Committee of Ministers, appointed by the APR Forum and serve for up to four years (five for the chairman) . Each country to be reviewed is assigned to one of the seven eminent persons, who consider and review reports, and make recommendations to the APR Forum. As of July 2006, the seven ‘eminent persons’ were: Marie Angelique Savane (Senegal), Chairperson; Adebayo Adedeji (Nigeria); Bethuel Kiplagat (Kenya); Graça Machel (Mozambique); Mohammed Babes (Algeria, replacing the original Algerian appointee, Mourad Medelci); [[Dorothy L. Njeuma]] (Cameroon); and Chris Stals (South Africa). On 30 January 2012,former Deputy President of South Africa, Baleka Mbete, was elected at the 16th Summit of the Committee of Participating Heads of State and Government of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APR Forum)to sit on the Panel of Eminent Persons.<ref>BUA News, SA Government News portla, http://www.buanews.gov.za/news/12/12012912351001</ref> She is the only sitting representative of a Southern African country, and will join panel members Barrister Julienne Ondziel Gnelenga (Republic of Congo), Barrister Akere T. Muna (Cameroon), Ambassador Professor Okon Edet Uya (Nigeria), Ambassador Ashraf Gamal (Egypt), Dr. Mekideche Mustapha (Algeria), Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza Nyirakobwa (Rwanda) and the Panel’s newly elected Chairperson, Professor Amos Sawyer (Liberia). Following a decision to increase the size of the body, the APR Forum intends to elect a ninth Panel member at the 17th Summit in June 2012.<ref>Communique issued at the end of the Sixteenth Summit of Heads of State and Government Participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism [APR Forum], 28 January 2012, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.http://maep-ua.org//sites/default/files/16TH%20APR%20FORUM%20-%20FINAL%20COMMUNIQUE.pdf</ref> ===APR Secretariat=== The Secretariat provides ‘the secretarial, technical, coordinating and administrative support services for the APRM’. It is ‘supervised directly by the Chairperson of the APR Panel at the policy level and in the day-to-day management and administration by an Executive Officer’. The Secretariat is based in Midrand, South Africa, not far from the NEPAD secretariat. ===APR Country Review Team=== They are appointed by the APR Panel, one of whose members heads the team, and are ‘constituted only for the period of the country review visit’. Their composition is ‘carefully designed to enable an integrated, balanced, technically competent and professional assessment of the reviewed country’. ===APR focal point=== This is a national mechanism set up by a participating country in order to play a communication and co-ordination role. It should serve, as Ayesha Kajee puts it, ‘as the liaison between national structures and continental ones such as the APR Secretariat and the APR Panel’. It should also, in conjunction with the National Co-ordinating mechanism, ‘develop, co-ordinate and implement the in-country mechanisms of preparing for peer review and hosting the country review team during the review visit’. The precise form of the Focal point is left to the country's discretion, but according to the APR Forum, it ‘should be at Ministerial level or a High-Level Official reporting directly to the Head of State or Government and with access to all national stakeholders’. ===National co-ordinating structure=== Here the actual implementation of the APRM at the national level happens. The country's self-assessment happens here by conducting, as the MOU mandates, ‘broad-based and all-inclusive’ consultation of key stakeholders in the public and private sectors. In addition, together with the Focal point it should ‘develop, co-ordinate and implement the in-country mechanisms of preparing for peer review and hosting the country review team during the review visit’. As with the Focal point, countries have a discretion as to how this is implemented. ==Review process== ===Preliminary phase or ‘Support Mission’=== The country support mission primary purpose is to ‘ensure a common understanding of the philosophy, rules and processes of the APRM’ and to help countries who need support with ‘aspects of the national processes’. The Guidelines further specify what the latter might mean, namely help with ‘institutional and organizational arrangements for involving major stakeholders’ in the review process, with the development of a realistic Programme of Action and with expertise not readily available in the country . In order to do this they will meet with the authorities in the country responsible for the APR process (the APR Focal Point) and with representatives of all the major stakeholders. ===Stage one=== The first stage is preparatory for both the APR Secretariat and the national authorities. The country in question has to answer a detailed questionnaire, on the basis of which a self-assessment is completed. The APRM Secretariat for its part will make a background study of the country's [[governance]] and [[Economic development|development]]. After this has been shared with the country concerned and other partner institutions and after the self-assessment has been made, the country in question will issue a draft Programme of Action . In the development of this Programme that participation of all stakeholders must be ensured, ‘including [[trade unions]], women, youth, [[civil society]], private sector, rural communities and professional associations’ . In the Programme it will suggest a time-bound framework for implementing the Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate [[Governance]]. After the Programme of Action and questionnaire have been submitted to the APR Secretariat, the Secretariat will draw up an Issues Paper. It is possible that on the basis of this paper the Secretariat will decide that certain issues need a more in-depth assessment (‘Technical assessments’) before that stage two is initiated. If there are Technical Assessments, these can lead to the update of the Issues Paper and possibly the Programme of Action . The APRM Secretariat also makes a suggestion to the APR Panel regarding the composition of the Country Review team. ===Stage two=== In the second stage the review team will visit the country and ‘carry out the widest possible range of consultations with the [[government]], officials, political parties, parliamentarians and representatives of [[civil society]] organizations (including the [[Mass media|media]], [[academia]], [[trade unions]], [[business]], [[professional bodies]])’. ===Stage three=== In the third stage the draft report is compiled. This report is based on the findings of the review team during their visit, the background research the APR Secretariat has made and on the Issues paper compiled by the APR Secretariat. The draft is then discussed with the government concerned. These discussions are meant ‘to ensure the accuracy of the report and to provide the Government with an opportunity both to react to the APR Team's findings and to put forward its own views on how the identified shortcomings may be addressed’. The report is supposed to evaluate a country's performance by taking into account the commitments made in the draft Programme of Action. It will also state what the remaining weaknesses are and recommend further action for the final Programme of Action. ===Stage four=== The review team's report and the final Programme of Action compiled by the [[Government]], is sent to the APR Secretariat and the APR Panel. Then the report is submitted to the APR Forum of participating heads of state and government for consideration and formulation of actions deemed necessary . It is at this stage that the actual ‘peer pressure’ is applied if necessary. Here the full quotation of the APRM base document (par. 24) is in its place: "If the Government of the country in question shows a demonstrable will to rectify the identified shortcomings, then it will be incumbent upon participating Governments to provide what assistance they can, as well as to urge donor governments and agencies also to come to the assistance of the country reviewed. However, if the necessary political will is not forthcoming from the Government, the participating states should first do everything practicable to engage it in constructive dialogue, offering in the process technical and other appropriate assistance. If dialogue proves unavailing, the participating Heads of State and Government may wish to put the Government on notice of their collective intention to proceed with appropriate measures by a given date. The interval should concentrate the mind of the Government and provide a further opportunity for addressing the identified shortcomings under a process of constructive dialogue. All considered, such measures should always be utilized as a last resort." ===Stage five=== According to paragraph 25 of the base document the report ‘should be formally and publicly tabled in key regional and sub-regional structures such as the Pan-African Parliament, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the […] Peace and Security Council (PSC) [inaugurated in May 2004], and the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the African Union.’. This is when the report will be publicly available. ===After the review=== A country is then supposed to implement its Programme of Action. Implicit in the whole APRM formula is that foreign donors would kick in here and bear some, if not a large part, of the cost connected to the implementation of this plan of action that is supposed to improve the identified shortcomings in [[governance]]. After this base review is concluded, a periodic review should follow every two to four years. ==Funding== The APRM is primarily funded by contributions from participating countries, and funds from "development partners" such as [[Canada]], the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[UNDP]]. The APRM reported contributions of some US$17.3 million in 2007, with US$10.5 million coming from development partners. Many member states failed to meet the minimum contribution of $100,000.<ref>Gruzd, Steven (29 June 2009) [http://allafrica.com/stories/200906291358.html "Africa: The African Peer Review Mechanism - Progress and Prospects"] South African Institute of International Affairs (Johannesburg)</ref> ==See also== *[[New Partnership for Africa's Development]] *[[African Union]] ==Notes== <references/> ==Bibliography== ===APRM documents=== * [http://www.nepad.org/2005/files/documents/49.pdf APRM Base document] The APRM base document * [http://www.nepad.org/2005/files/documents/111.pdf Memorandum of Understanding on the APRM] The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) * [http://www.nepad.org/2005/files/aprm/aprmguidelinesforcountryreview200104final.pdf Guidelines] Guidelines for Countries to prepare for and participate in the APRM * [http://www.nepad.org/2005/files/documents/48.pdf Organisation and Processes] Organisation and Processes * [http://www.nepad.org/2005/files/documents/110.pdf The objectives, standards, criteria and indicators for the APRM] Accessed on May 27, 2006. ===Critiques and studies of the APRM process=== * [http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/OP29.pdf An Analysis of the Implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism in Ghana, Kenya and Mauritius] Grant Masterson, EISA, February 2005 * [http://www.sarpn.org.za/documents/d0000954/index.php NEPAD’s APRM: A Progress Report, Practical Limitations and Challenges] Paper by Ayesha Kajee on the APRM, 2004, accessed on May 27, 2006. * [http://saiia.org.za/images/upload/eafricaoct2003.pdf Becoming my brother's keeper] eAfrica October 2003 by Ross Herbert, accessed on May 27, 2006. * [http://www.afrimap.org/english/images/report/APRM_Kenya_EN.pdf The APRM process in Kenya: A pathway to a new state?] Report by OSIEA/AfriMAP, April 2007 * [http://www.afrimap.org/english/images/report/APRM%20Rwanda%20ENG.pdf Critical review of the African Peer Review Mechanism Process in Rwanda] Report by Ligue des Droits de la Personne dans la Région des Grands Lacs (LDGL), January 2007 *[http://www.pacweb.org/e/images/stories/documents/between%20hope%20and%20scepticism-oct%202005-electronic%20version-low%20resolution.pdf Between Hope and Scepticism: Civil Society and the African Peer Review Mechanism] Partnership Africa Canada, October 2005 *[http://www.uneca.org/chdcs/chdcs3/Strategies_for_promoting_APRM_CHDCS3.pdf Strategies for promoting effective stakeholder participation in the African Peer Review Mechanism], UNECA, 2005 *[http://afraf.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/adi124v1 Inadequately Self-Critical: Rwanda’s Self-Assessment for the African Peer Review Mechanism] Eduard Jordaan, ''African Affairs'', April 2006 *[http://www.undp.org/oslocentre/docs07/eric_opoku_final.pdf Effective Stakeholder Participation. in the APRM Process for the Promotion. of Democratic Governance:. A Case Study of Ghana], Eric Opoku, UNDP, December 2006 *[http://www.afrimap.org/english/images/report/AfriMAP_APRM_Ghana_EN.pdf Ghana and the APRM: A Critical Assessment], Adotey Bing-Pappoe, AfriMAP & OSIWA, June 2007 *[http://www.afrimap.org/english/images/report/AfriMAP_APRM_Mauritius_EN.pdf The African Peer Review Mechanism in Mauritius: Lessons from Phase I] Sheila Bunwaree, AfriMAP & OSISA, August 2007 *[http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/development/docs/A-HRC-8-WG.2-TF-CRP5.doc Further analysis of the African Peer Review Mechanism and the ECA/OECD-DAC Mutual Review of Development Effectiveness in the context of NEPAD] Report to the [http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/development/taskforce2008.htm UN High Level Task Force on the Implementation of the Right to Development], January 2008 * [http://www.saiia.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=802:the-african-peer-review-mechanism-lessons-from-the-pioneers&catid=3:books&Itemid=137 The African Peer Review Mechanism: Lessons from the Pioneers], Ross Herbert and Steven Gruzd, South African Institute of International Affairs, March 2008 *[http://www.saiia.org.za/images/stories/pubs/sops/saia_sop_02_odoi_20080626_en.pdf Civil Society Participation in Uganda’s APRM Process] Juliet Nakato Odoi, SAIIA, June 2008 *[http://www.saiia.org.za/images/stories/pubs/sops/saia_sop_03_odac_20080626_en.pdf Assessing South Africa’s APRM: An NGO Perspective], Nick Hutchings, Mukelani Dimba, and Alison Tilley, SAIIA, June 2008 *[http://www.saiia.org.za/images/stories/pubs/sops/saia_sop_05_aggad_20080702_en.pdf Addressing the African Peer Review Mechanism's Programmes of Action], Faten Aggad, SAIIA, June 2008 *[http://www.saiia.org.za/images/stories/pubs/sops/saia_sop_04_katito_20080702_en.pdf Understanding APRM Research: Planning, Process and Politics. A Practical Handbook for Peer Review Research], George Katito, SAIIA, June 2008 *[http://www.afrimap.org/english/images/report/APRM%20Nigeria%20ENG%20web.pdf The African Peer Review Process in Nigeria], Adele Jinadu, AfriMAP, August 2008 *[http://www.afrimap.org/english/images/report/AfriMAP_APRM_Benin_EN.pdf Benin and the African Peer Review Mechanism: Consolidating Democratic Achievements] Gilles Badet, AfriMAP, August 2008 *[http://www.saiia.org.za/images/stories/pubs/sops/saia_sop_12_boyle_20080925_en.pdf Making the News: Why the APRM Didn't], Brendan Boyle, SAIIA, September 2008 *[http://www.saiia.org.za/images/stories/pubs/sops/saia_sop_11_louw_20080925_en.pdf Media Freedom, Transparency and Governance], Raymond Louw, SAIIA, September 2008 ==External links== * [http://www.aprm-international.org APRM official website] * [http://www.afrimap.org AfriMAP] The Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project of the Open Society Institute has a news archive of stories relevant to the APRM and has published reviews of the APRM process in different countries. * [http://www.saiia.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102:governanceandaprmproject&catid=2:governance-and-the-aprm&Itemid=148 South African Institute of International Affairs] project on the APRM and Governance. Includes links to the original APRM Toolkit, with many useful documents and analyses of the peer review and governance in Africa. * [http://www.uneca.org/aprm/ UNECA and the APRM] UN Economic Commission for Africa webpage on the APRM * [http://www.iss.co.za/AF/RegOrg/nepad/index.htm Institute of Security Studies] webpage of NEPAD and APRM documents * [http://www.eisa.org.za/EISA/aprm.htm Electoral Institute of Southern Africa] webpage on APRM including toolkit for civil society * [http://www.pacweb.org/programs-african-peer-e.php Partnership Africa Canada] webpage on APRM including background documents for civil society {{African Union}} [[Category:African Union]] [[Category:Development in Africa]] [[Category:New Partnership for Africa's Development]] [[Category:Peer review]]'
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' '''AFRICA’S SELF-ASSESSMENT FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE''' A Specialized Agency of the African Union (AU), the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) was initiated in 2002 and established in 2003 by the African Union in the framework of the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). APRM is a tool for sharing experiences, reinforcing best practices, identifying deficiencies, and assessing capacity-building needs to foster policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration. Member countries within the APRM undertake self-monitoring in all aspects of their governance and socio-economic development. African Union (AU) stakeholders participate in the self-assessment of all branches of government – executive, legislative and judicial – as well as the private sector, civil society and the media. The APRM Review Process gives member states a space for national dialogue on governance and socio-economic indicators and an opportunity to build consensus on the way forward. The APR Forum of Heads of State and Government adopted the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan and the APRM Statute at the 25th Summit of the APR Forum held in Nairobi, Kenya. The 28th AU Assembly of Heads of States and Government further extended the APRM’s mandate to include tracking of the implementation and overseeing the Continent’s key governance initiatives. In addition, the AU Assembly further extended the mandate of the APRM to include monitoring of the implementation of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Agenda 2030. FOUR TYPES COUNTRY REVIEWS 1. Base Review – carried out immediately after a country becomes a member of the APRM 2. Periodic Review every four years 3. Requested Review – requested by the member country itself outside the framework of mandated reviews 4. A Review commissioned by the APR Forum when there are early signs of pending political and economic crisis. FOUR THEMATIC AREAS • Democracy and Political Governance (DPG) • Economic Governance and Management (EGM) • Corporate Governance (CG) • Broad-based Sustainable Socio-economic Development (SED) THE FIVE STAGES OF A PEER REVIEW 1. CONSULTATION The APR Secretariat and the Country under review consult on the process overview and terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The Country under review creates a Focal Point to liaise with the Secretariat and provide it with relevant laws, treaty ratifications, budgets and development plans. The Secretariat prepares a background assessment document. At the same time, the Country under review independently completes the APR Self-Assessment Questionnaire, gathers inputs from civil society and drafts a paper outlining the nation’s issues and a National Programme of Action (NPoA) with clear steps and deadlines on how it plans to conform to APRM codes and standards, the African Union Charter, and UN obligations. The Country Review Team that is set up writes a report outlining issues to be focused on during the review mission. 2. THE REVIEW MISSION visits the Country under review and conducts broad-based consultations with government, officials, political parties, parliamentarians, and representatives of civil society organisations (e.g. media, academia, trade unions, professional bodies), and the private sector. The mission typically lasts two-and-a-half to three weeks. 3. DRAFT REPORT: The APR Country Review Team drafts a report on the Country under review. 4. THE PEER REVIEW takes place at the level of the APR Forum, using the APR Panel’s report on the team’s findings as a basis. The APR Forum discusses these recommendations with the Reviewed Country’s leadership. 5. FINAL REPORT Within six months, after the peer review, the published Country Review Report must be tabled in sub-regional institutions (Pan-African Parliament, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, AU Peace and Security Council, Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union [ECOSOCC AU]). The report is then made publicly available. THE SECOND GENERATION REVIEW The objective of the APRM Second Generation Review is to assess progress made in Governance and Socio-economic Development in Member States in the period since the Base Review. The specific objectives are to: • reinvigorate, rationalize and institutionalize the APRM in governance reforms within a Member State; • appraise to what extent the National Programme of Action (NPoA) is implemented and its continued relevance, on the basis of which a new NPOA with a few key actions will be proposed; • facilitate the development of a second NPOA with greater focus and based only on key actions; and • make the APRM Review process more relevant to citizens’ needs, more cost-effective and in tune with the Agenda 2063 priorities and goals. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE COUNTRY REVIEW? The National Programme of Action (NPoA) is divided into short-term, medium-term and long-term goals and is continuously monitored by the National Governance Commission/Governing Council, or a smaller body of state and non-state representatives. Progress Reports on implementation are presented annually to the APR Forum. The APR Secretariat follows up on commitments made, holds regional workshops to share best practices identified in the reviews, and offers technical support to fulfill APRM plans. GOVERNING BODIES OF THE APRM APR FORUM (Committee of Participating Heads of State and Government) Highest decision-making authority. APR PANEL (Panel of Eminent Persons) Oversees the review process to ensure its independence, professionalism and credibility, and reports to the Forum. The APR Panel is also responsible for selecting and appointing and the Review Teams. COMMITTEE OF FOCAL POINTS Committee of representatives of Heads of State and Government Manages the budgetary process, resource mobilisation through Member States, Strategic and Development Partners, and the APRM Trust Fund and Audit. National Governing Council (NGC) The National Governance Commission/National Governing Council (NGC) is the body that oversees implementation of the APRM process at the Member State level. In addition to providing guidance in terms of policy direction, the NGC ensures professionalism, credibility and independence of the national APRM self-assessment and review processes. The NGC is composed of key stakeholder groups from government, civil society and the private sector, in line with the APRM principle of broad-based participation. APRM SECRETARIAT Provides technical, coordinating and administrative support services. It must have sufficient capacity for the analytical work that underpins the peer review process. MEMBERSHIP OF THE APRM Membership of the APRM is voluntary and open to all African Union (AU) countries. Accession begins with an expression of interest in membership followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the country and the APR Forum. 36 Member Countries Algeria Angola Benin Burkina Faso Cameroon Chad Côte d’Ivoire Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia Gabon Ghana Kenya Lesotho Liberia Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Mozambique Republic of Niger Namibia Nigeria Republic of Congo Rwanda Sao Tome & Principe Senegal Sierra Leone South Africa Sudan Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Zambia STRATEGIC PARTNERS The APRM has entered into special support agreements with partner institutions designated by the Forum as Strategic Partners. These are: African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), the African Development Bank (AfDB); Mo Ibrahim Foundation; United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); Office of the Special Advisor on Africa (OSAA); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Africa. CONTACT US P.O. Box 1234, Halfway House Midrand 1685, South Africa. Physical Address: No 230; 15th Road, First Floor; Randjespark; Midrand, 1682 Tel: + 27 11 256 3401 Website: www.aprm-au.org Follow us Facebook: AfricanPeerRiewMechanism Twitter: @APRMorg YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/APRMechanism Download APRM App on the App Store or Play store'
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