African States urged to embrace the African Peer Review Mechanism

H.E Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) on 1st April 2016, received in audience the Chief Executive Officer of the APRM Secretariat, Professor. Eddie Maloka, who briefed him about the just concluded Expert Group Meeting on the revitalization of the African Peer Review Mechanism held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Professor Maloka expressed his optimism and keenness on the revitalization of APRM. He shared his vision and strategy for the Mechanism which he said would adopt a three-pronged approach “Reinvigoration, Restoration and Renewal”.

While welcoming Professor Maloka, the Deputy Chairperson highlighted the need to review and update APRM's base documents to align it with the Pan African Agenda captured in the Agenda 2063 blueprint and the and the Post 2015 development Agenda —the sustainable development goals (SDGs), which are critical for the strategic priorities and positioning of Africa.

H.E Mr. Mwencha observed the significance of APRM as a Continental Governance Mechanism, calling upon African States to take up the reviews which he says are important in national self-assessment and reflection on the past and in identify areas that require improvement to achieve the development agenda. He called for the commitment by the Heads of State and Government to the APRM Mechanism.

Professor Maloka stated that the turnaround Strategy would improve the quality of the APRM Reviews by deepening participation adding that APRM also aims to play a significant role in the Monitoring and Evaluation of AU Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.

At the same time, H.E Mr. Mwencha challenged Professor Maloka to consider expanding the role of APRM to that of an African Rating Agency.

Côte d'Ivoire and Sudan have expressed readiness for reviews. So far, 37 countries have consented to APRM out of which 17 have been reviewed with Djibouti, Zambia and Tanzania being the latest countries to go through the review.