APRM: The Need for Transparency

The author contends that the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is threatened by a lack of transparency and government interference. To maintain legitimacy, the document argues that civil society must lead governing councils and that the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) must be simplified to remove duplication and unclear wording. It recommends a collaborative approach between governments and citizens, including the use of media, research institutions, and household surveys to ensure inclusive and candid national reviews.

• The legitimacy of the APRM is being jeopardized by a double standard where some countries place the process and governing councils under direct ministerial control, despite advice that civil society should hold the majority and the chair position.
• The Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) used for reviews is hindered by excessive detail, unclear wording, and substantial overlap across its four sections: Democracy and Good Political Governance, Economic Governance and Management, Corporate Governance, and Socio-Economic Development.
• To improve the credibility of the APRM, the document recommends that national secretariats be housed outside government offices with independent staff, and that governments utilize research bodies and academics to support the technical requirements of the SAQ.
• The use of household surveys in Ghana and Kenya is highlighted as an important innovation for capturing public views across all regions and constituencies in an organized manner.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2008). APRM: The Need for Transparency. https://saiia.org.za/research/aprm-the-need-for-transparency/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. APRM: The Need for Transparency. 2008. https://saiia.org.za/research/aprm-the-need-for-transparency/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=APRM: The Need for Transparency |date=29 April 2008 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/aprm-the-need-for-transparency/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2008aprm, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{APRM: The Need for Transparency}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2008}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/aprm-the-need-for-transparency/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }