20 September 2022– The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in collaboration with Africa Governance Architecture (AGA) Platform Members is launching a series of targeted review missions on Unconstitutional Changes of Government from 22 September 2022 to 30th October 2022, a first for Africa and the world. The targeted review missions on unconstitutional changes of government forms part of the process of developing the African Governance Report (AGR) which prepared by the APRM in collaboration with AGA and presented to the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government (Assembly) for consideration at its ordinary session every two (2) years. The AGR is developed pursuant to Article 6 (1) (c) of the APRM Statute and in accordance with Assembly Decision Ext/Assembly/AU/Dec.1 (XI) and Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.758(XXXIII).The third edition of the Africa Governance Report, the AGR-2023, is designed to focus on Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCG) following the submission of H.E Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone and Chairperson of the APRM Forum of Heads of State and Government and as directed by African Union Head of States and Government on 28 May 2022 at the 16th Extraordinary Summit in Malabo. The decision for the AGR to focus on unconstitutional changes of government was made in response to the serious concern expressed by the Assembly over the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government on the continent.
The AGR-2023 on UCG is adopting a unique methodology of evidence-based cases studies on the topic for the purpose of gathering primary data from country experiences and best practices on UCG through the use of a questionnaire also known as a Governance Gap Analysis Tool. The exercise will ensure the full assessment of the causes, triggers and efficacy of AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs)/Regional Mechanisms (RMs) normative frameworks in addressing UCG in Africa.
The overall objectives of the AGR-2023 are: i) review the continental legislative framework on UCG, ii) highlight best practices on restoration of normal constitutional for peer sharing; iii) identify governance gaps and challenges and make recommendations to enhance governance in AU Member States. This broad-based exercise will see the participation of state actors and non-state actors and will provide a basis to formulate an in-depth analysis, realistic conclusions and practical recommendations in the AGR-2023 for the ultimate consideration by the AU Policy Organs and benefit of African citizens.
The AGR-2023 targeted reviews on unconstitutional changes of government will be participatory process led by APRM Panel of Eminent Persons who will ensure the integrity, independence, professionalism and credibility of the process. The process will also involve African expertise consisting principally of both national and continental experts as well as AU and RECs/RMs experts, in six (6) African Union Member States to guarantee the independence and African ownership of the report.
The AGR-2023 Targeted Review Missions focusing unconstitutional changes of government will commence in September 2022. The following AU Member States have agreed to undertake targeted reviews on unconstitutional changes of government: Kingdom of Lesotho, Republic Sierra Leone, Republic of Burkina Faso, Republic of Chad, Republic of Comoros and Republic of Guinea.
Targeted Reviews are voluntary or special reviews which are short, focused, cost effective. They cover a particular theme/sector of interest within the five (5) thematic areas of good governance for the APRM namely: Political and Democracy Governance, Economic Government and Management, Socio-Economic Development, Cooperate Governance, State Resilience to Shocks and Disasters. Whereas traditional and comprehensive country reviews covering all thematic areas of good governance of the APRM are conducted in APRM Member States countries only, the targeted review can take place in both APRM and non-APRM Member states in line with APRM’s flagship endeavour ‘Towards Universal Accession’ Country and Targeted Reviews are conducted on a voluntary basis and are based on a specific request by the country.
For regular updates on the development of AGR-2023 please contact Liziwe Masilela [email protected] or follow the conversation using the hashtag #AGR2023 on Twitter or Facebook.
