AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM (APRM)

AT A GLANCE
Created: 2003
Secretariat: Midrand, South Africa. A Panel of Eminent Persons appointed by the APRM Secretariat oversees implementation of the APRM throughout Africa.
Membership: Participation is voluntary and open to any member of the African Union. 29 out of 53 possible countries are APRM members.
Objectives: The APRM is an African self-monitoring system introduced by the African Union to help countries improve their governance. It fosters the adoption of policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration through the sharing of experiences and best practices.

Supporting Civil Society and Media Engagement in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)

Status: Operational
Local Organization: African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)
Canadian Experts: Gilbert Oloko and Dr. Jennifer Tangney

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) was launched in 2003 to improve African governance systems through a unique combination of public consultation, expert review and diplomatic peer pressure. The APRM offers an opportunity to build national consensus on key governance issues, chart solutions and monitor implementation. The engagement of civil society and media ensures credibility and legitimacy and has led to robust APRM self-assessments in many of the participating countries. To date, donors have been providing support to strengthen civil society and media engagement on an ad-hoc basis. 

To support civil society and media engagement in APRM, DDD is supporting an externally-managed Fund or Mechanism that civil society and media organizations from across Africa can draw upon to implement APRM-related programs. A rapid scoping study was undertaken to provide baseline monitoring information on the current situation of civil society and media engagement in the APRM process. The study drew on lessons learned from the development, implementation and management of similar Funds to identify the best option and structure to support civil society and media. Following telephone and face-to-face interviews in Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa, the study provided clear recommendations on the proposed structure, size and options for managing the Fund. With a second IPAC scoping study underway, DDD is improving donor harmonization, reducing duplication and facilitating coordination and cross learning among civil society organizations.