The African Peer Review Mechanism is a mutually agreed instrument voluntarily acceded to by AU member States as an African self-monitoring mechanism to improve governance dynamics at the local, national and continental levels.
The APRM mandate includes the monitoring Agenda 2063 and progress towards achieving the SDGs.
Challenges
The Mechanism has not witnessed yet the accession of all members of the African Union, and only 17 of the 33 APRM members have completed their first review.
The review process in several cases took more time than what is prescribed in the Base Document Guidelines (six months from the date of accession).
In some instances, difficulties arise in the implementation of the recommendations emanating from the Review and the related National Programme of Action (NPOA), as the latter became a shopping list, a situation that limits the prospects of its implementation. Consequently there is need to harmonise and integrate the Programme of Action with the National Development Plans, and ensure adequate resources for its funding.
There is also a need to strengthen the link with NEPAD programmes, and to enhance APRM engagement with the Regional and Sub-Regional Economic Communities in the continent, and other Pan African Institutions.
The National Governing Council, which is an important element of the National Structures of APRM, should be institutionalised, and its responsibilities and mandate clearly defined and preserved.
The limited public awareness of the work of APRM has to be addressed by actively engaging with the civil society, and the media. It equally requires developing a communication strategy to ensure citizen participation in the process and popularise the Mechanism.
There are still capacity constraints to implement such a complex, resource intensive, technically demanding and participatory process.
African Diaspora are not involved in the APRM process which deprives it from using their competence and skills in the service of Africa’s development.
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