Presentation Djibouti 30 October 2017 APRM Expanded Mandate Presentation Djibouti 30 October 2017

Outline Background AU Efforts towards synergizing the Work of its Organs President Kagame’s recommendations Key recommndations on APRM What should APRM do to deliver on this mandate? Steps taken By APRM Envisaged challenges Some of strengths of APRM Conclusion

Background The APRM was established in 2003, as part of an ambitious programme of African institution-building in the new millennium and as the Continent’s pioneering and self-monitoring tool for promoting good governance. Through the creation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), APRM was “hatched” as instrument for promoting good governance in Africa. The AU, NEPAD and the APRM, over the last 14 years, have supported overall objective of promoting continental governance, integration and socio-economic development.

Background.. Cont’d However, due to dynamic and ever-changing world, and to avoid duplication efforts of these institutions, there was critical need to increase collaboration and synergies among them. In this regard, since 2014, efforts such as AGA were developed to coordinate governance and work by AU organs and institutions, of which APRM is part of.

AU Efforts towards Synergising the work of its Organs The coordination efforts of the AU Organs were boosted in July 2016 at the 27th AU Assembly which entrusted HE President Paul Kagame to prepare a Report to “put in place a system of governance capable of addressing the challenges facing the African Union” In January 2017 AU Summit, H. E Kagame made his report, proposing Recommendations for the Institutional Reform of the African Union”, and were further discussed at July 2017 AU Summit.

President Kagame’s key recommendations Four key recommendations are: To focus the African Union on key priorities with continental scope; To realign the structure of African Union institutions to deliver on key priorities; To manage the African Union efficiently at both the political and operational levels; and To finance the African Union ourselves and sustainably.

Key recommendation on APRM: The second recommendation which is to “Realign the structure of African Union institutions to deliver on key priorities” indicates the complexity of the AU’s institutional landscape, and how this can adversely affect decision making and implementation. To this, Kagame’s report makes a key recommendation with regard to APRM that “the African Peer Review Mechanism could be strengthened to track the implementation and oversee the monitoring and evaluation in key governance areas of the continent as well as repositioning of the APRM to play a monitoring and evaluation role for the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030”

More energy to APRM?? Kagame’s drive to reform, rationalise and repurpose African institutions – including the APRM was not happening in a vacuum. APRM itself had been undergoing a revitalisation process to renergise the APRM process 28th AU Assembly in January 2017 had adopted a “Decision on the Revitalisation of the African Peer Review Mechanism”, with President Uhuru Kenyatta at its helm. In August 2016, the APR Forum had also adopted 2016-2020 APRM Strategic Plan.

More Energy to APRM?? The AU Assembly further welcomed the “repositioning of the APRM to play a monitoring and evaluation role for the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030” as well as “revisiting the APRM questionnaire in sync with current development frameworks including the AU Agenda 2063 and UN Sustainable Development Goals.” This Decision gave APRM a challenge--- So what to do?

What should APRM do in order to deliver on this Mandate? Improve institutional affiliation and outreach- coordination with other partner Institutions. Renew political commitment- re-energise wholly!! Agree on the division of labour .. Don’t be selfish?? Revise the questionnaire and use IT where possible Get the indicators right Publish reports more rapidly

What should APRM do in order to deliver on this Mandate? Establish the knowledge hub Improve M&E capacity at continental and national levels Consider the introduction of independent verification of NPoA reporting. Articulate APRM’s added value Prioritise fundraising to ensure we deliver on this mandate

What has been done by APRM? The APRM has already begun work to interpret and implement the extended mandate. From 5 to 8 March 2017, an APRM-AGA Joint Experts and Methodology workshop to unpack the implications and practicalities of the extended mandate Multi-stakeholder Joint Task Force was formed to further develop a practical way forward. The first official meeting of the Joint Task Force was convened in Addis Ababa on the margins of the midyear AU Summit, on 30 June 2017. A proposed the work of the JTF was extended to December 2018 In August 2017, together with SAIIA, the APRM deliberated on this Mandate and discussed the way forward.

Envisaged challenges Complexity of APRM process, which needs to be harnessed to handling this expanded mandate. Some stakeholders may not be aware of this added mandate. Lack of implementation of NPOA.. This calls for stakeholders to “pull up their socks” Inadequate political push to the APRM. Lack of consistent funding….Will the recent increment of USD 200, 000 as annual contribution be adhered to? Non membership of APRM: Not all AU states are members of APRM….. Universal Accession necessary through voluntarism

Some of strengths of APRM African pride, and well-tested Mechanism on promotion of Governance with positives on the continent, opening political space and acting as an early warning mechanism etc It has a developed infrastructure on the continent, with FPs, NGCs and National Secretariats, CSOs, Private sector etc Grass-rooted with African people, moreover participatory. APRM has led to some major reforms in its member states.

Conclusion The APRM is determined to deliver on this expanded mandate. As ingrained in its principles, participation of all AU Organs and stakeholders is key. Coordination by APRM is also paramount in this noble cause. Extra funding is needed because the APRM’s funding in the public domain is limited. Like elsewhere, some of its member states are not paying their annual contributions. AU and other partners need to come on board to fund some APRM activities with regard to this expanded mandate. Together we can!!!

END Thank you for your Attention. Contact: APRM Secretariat Plot 230, 15th Road, Randsjespak, P.O Box 1234, Midrand, South Africa www.aprm-au.org