Stages of The Review Process by African Peer Review Mechanism

African Peer Review Mechanism follows a five-stage process that are used to review whether the goals set as well as the ideals agreed upon are being followed to the letter.

The first stage is that of Country Self-Assessment. This review process is conducted using a domesticated questionnaire or simply guidelines that are developed by the APRM Continental Secretariat based on the four thematic pillars that the forum stands for, Democracy and Political Governance; Economic Governance and Management; Corporate Governance as well as Socio-Economic Development.

This first step of assessment entails countrywide consultations with key stakeholders. The Country consultations conducted in 2004 led to preparation of the draft APRM Country Self-Assessment Report.

The second stage is that known as Country Review Mission. At this stage, on receipt of the draft report Country Review Team (CRT) visits the country to validate the “Self-Assessment” Report and see if what was provided is what is reflected.

In July 2004, for instance, the CRT under the leadership of Dr. Graca Machel conducted countrywide consultations with the Government officials, women representatives, Political parties, Parliamentarians, Civil Society Organizations, Development Partners, The Media, Academia, Trade unions, Business and Professional bodies in this country.

The CRT, then after the third stage produces a Draft Report informed by consultations and the Self-Assessment Report. This Draft report is first discussed with the Government to ensure accuracy of the information and to provide the Government with an opportunity to react to the Team’s findings. A Country response is prepared by the Government including a National Plan of Action (NPoA).

After this comes the Peer Review at APRM Forum or Summit. At this forum, the Country Review Report is submitted to the participating Heads of State and Government through the APRM Secretariat. This stage also entails consideration and adoption of the final report by the participating Heads of State and Government.

The last stage is that of Adoption and Circulation of Report. At this stage, six months after adoption, the report is formally and publicly circulated to key regional and sub-regional bodies such as AU, the Pan-African Parliament and UN Agencies. The Adopted report is then disseminated to key stakeholders.