Conference Report

The conference reviewed the achievements and challenges of the APRM from 2003 to 2013, emphasizing the critical but often inconsistent role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in monitoring and implementing National Programmes of Action (NPoAs). Key discussions focused on the need to universalise the mechanism, integrate it into the emerging African Governance Architecture (AGA), and better harness the contributions of the African diaspora and youth.

• The APRM has successfully expanded its membership to 33 of 53 African Union countries, with 17 having completed self-assessments and peer reviews. It is credited with opening political space for citizen participation in national policy debates and providing a platform for peer learning.
• A significant weakness in the APRM process is the slow and inconsistent implementation of National Programmes of Action (NPoAs). Governments are accused of selective implementation, often ignoring recommendations they dislike, while NPoAs are frequently treated as stand-alone projects rather than being integrated into national planning and budgeting.
• Civil society organisations (CSOs) are central to the assessment phase but face marginalisation during the post-review implementation stages. This is attributed to resource constraints, capacity gaps in monitoring and evaluation, and difficult relations with governments.
• There is a call to universalise the APRM by making accession mandatory for all African Union member states to create a common platform for continent-wide governance reform.
• The APRM's position within the emerging African Governance Architecture (AGA) remains uncertain. Recommendations include using the APRM as the designated mechanism within the AGA to track the implementation of shared values instruments and strengthening synergies with the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).
• The African diaspora, regarded as the '6th region' of the AU, is an underutilised resource in the APRM. The diaspora provides financial, political, intellectual, and cultural capital, but its role is not clearly defined in APRM guidelines, leading to insignificant involvement.
• Diversity management remains a critical challenge in African governance. Many APRM Country Review Reports fail to effectively address the needs of women, youth, and minorities, often due to state strategies of homogenisation or political mobilisation of diversity.
• National Governing Councils (NGCs) lack standardised stipulations regarding their composition, independence, and mandate, which hinders their ability to oversee NPoA implementation effectively.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). Conference Report. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/APRM_Conference-Report_Final_2013.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Conference Report. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/APRM_Conference-Report_Final_2013.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Conference Report |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/APRM_Conference-Report_Final_2013.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndconference, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Conference Report}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/APRM_Conference-Report_Final_2013.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }