COMMUNIQUÉ

AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM (APRM) SENSITIZATION MISSION TO LESOTHO

27 June – 1 July 2022, Maseru, Lesotho  

1. The African Peer Review Mechanism [APRM], an autonomous entity of the African Union (AU), was established by African Union Heads of State and Government. The primary purpose of the APRM is to promote policies, standards and practices that will lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and economic integration in Africa. As of June 2022, forty-two (42) AU Member States have voluntarily acceded to the Mechanism as Participating States.

2. Lesotho acceded to the APRM in July 2004 at the AU Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Lesotho was the 12^th AU Member State to accede to the APRM. It was also among the first cohort of African Union Member States that started the APRM process. Lesotho was peer reviewed on the 30^{th of} June 2009 at the 11^th APRM Forum of Heads of State and Government of Participating States held in Sirte, Libya. This marked an important milestone, the beginning of the implementation phase of the recommendations contained in the review report.

3. From 27^th June to 1 July 2022, Lesotho hosted the APRM sensitization mission to the country led by Prof Eddy Maloka, Chief Executive Officer of the APRM Continental Secretariat. The mission also included staff of the APRM Continental Secretariat and APRM Communications Champions. The purpose of the sensitization mission is to assist the Government of Lesotho to:

• Revitalize the APR Process in Lesotho.
• Provide technical support on reestablishment of national structures.
• Sensitize all stakeholders on the APRM and the country review processes.
• Explain the role of various stakeholders in the APRM review process.
• Discuss the way forward for APRM in Lesotho including the possibility of undertaking second review and/or targeted review on a particular theme.

4. The mission paid a courtesy call on The Right Honourable the Prime Minister, Dr Moeketsi Majoro. The Mission also conducted a series of consultations with relevant Government Ministers, the Speaker of the National Assembly as well as civil society and the private sector umbrella organizations on how best to support the revitalisation of the APRM in Lesotho and preparations for the possible conduct of an APRM Second Country Review Report or Targeted Review.

5. The mission also co- hosted a Media Training in collaboration with the Government of Lesotho and MISA Lesotho Chapter. The media training included representatives of major media houses in the country. In close collaboration with the Government of Lesotho the Mission also conducted a stakeholders sensitization workshop which included representatives from government, academia, civil society, private sector and development partners.

6. At the conclusion of the sensitization Mission, the Government has affirmed its commitment to revive the APRM in Lesotho including the re-establishment of the national structures and preparations to conduct a review in 2023.

7. The sensitization mission thanked and commended the Government and the people of Lesotho for the warm hospitality and the unwavering commitment of the Government to revitalise the APRM in Lesotho.

Done in Maseru, Lesotho, 1 July 2022

Prof Eddy Maloka                                        Honorable Matŝepo-Molise Ramakoae

Chief Executive Officer,                              Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations

APRM Continental Secretariat                   APRM Focal Point