Johannesburg, South Africa, 6 September 2014 – The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Focal Points and Panel of Eminent Persons held a strategic session to re-galvanize the momentum for the effective promotion of the Mechanism and express their support for the Secretariat’s ongoing reforms.

The South African Minister of Public Service and Administration, Honourable Collins Chabane who was co-chair of the session, urged all Member States to scale up their support to the APRM towards consolidating the gains of the governance reforms in the Continent over the past decade. In this respect, the Minister commended the contributions of the Mechanism to the successes recorded in Africa regarding improved governance, political and macro-economic stability as well as the promotion of the enabling environment and regulatory reforms. Honourable Chabane further emphasized the need for closer cooperation between the Panel of Eminent Persons and the National Focal Points in promoting the dissemination of progress achieved in consolidating governance reforms in the Continent.

This echoed the sentiments expressed by the South African Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, Honourable Ayanda Dlolo, who chaired the Focal Points meeting held on 5 September. In her address, Honourable Dlodlo underscored the importance of strengthening the administrative and financial capacity of the Mechanism to support effective delivery of its mandate.

The Chairperson of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons, Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza, at the joint session, called for effective programmatic delivery through increased peer review of Member countries and the implementation of the National Programmes of Action as well as the popularization of the APRM.

The Interim CEO of the APRM Secretariat, Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, reaffirmed the change management measures being undertaken in the Secretariat to foster increased results and impact of the APRM. Dr. Mayaki disclosed that the primary goal of the APRM is to become the premier Governance Knowledge Hub in Africa. He assured that the Secretariat will strengthen its cooperation with the African Union Commission in finalizing the integration of the Mechanism into the structures and processes of the African Union. The Interim CEO, in addition, commended African Leaders for their strategic leadership and guidance of the Mechanism and its successes so far.

The APR Panel of Eminent Persons exercises methodological oversight of the APRM process with a view to ensuring the independence, professionalism and credibility of the process. It also oversees the selection of the APR Mission Teams and appoints them to conduct country reviews.

The APRM Focal Points Committee is an intermediary between the APR Forum and APRM Secretariat comprising the Personal Representatives of Heads of State and Government participating in the APRM. This Committee exercises managerial oversight of the APRM Secretariat.

Press Release:
Re-galvanizing the momentum for promoting APRM