This edition features a report on the 14th Forum of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), held on 29 January 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We bring you highlights of this important event with an update on the major discussions and decisions of the Forum. This issue also features fascinating stories about APRM’s participation in the exhibition organized by the African Union on the margins of the 16th Summit of Heads of State and Government, held from 30 to 31 January 2011 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa.

1. Africa’s Self Assessment for
POLITICAL SITUATION IN
CERTAIN AFRICAN COUNTRIES
APRM PANEL DEEPLY CONCERNED
Bulletin of the African Peer Review Mechanism Secretariat Vol. 02 Quarterly April-June 2011
14th
APRM Forum: Assessment of the Addis Ababa Summit
1Vol. 02 Quarterly April-June 2011
Governance
New review code adopted
APRM Secretariat
Panel Members meet with Staff
APRM-Pan African Parliament
Synergy underway

2. EDITORIAL
APRM on course
By Assefa Shifa
Stakeholders to this Process
can continue to count on the
credibility of the APRM and
on the professionalism of its
staff.
W
e are pleased to present the Second Issue of the APRM Quarterly Newsletter.
This logically denser edition features a report on the 14th
Forum of the African
Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), held on 29 January 2011 in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia. We bring you highlights of this important event with an update on the major
discussions and decisions of the Forum.
The press conference report by the Chairperson of the Panel of Eminent Persons gives
insight into the progress achieved and the challenges facing the APRM, whose 30th
member joined the fold at the 14th
Forum. Some advocacy is underway to encourage
accession by the African Union (AU) countries that have not yet joined the Mechanism. The
Panel has prepared a special schedule to that effect.
This issue also features fascinating stories about APRM’s participation in the exhibition
organized by the African Union on the margins of the 16th
Summit of Heads of State and
Government, held from 30 to 31 January 2011 at the United Nations Conference Centre in
Addis Ababa. APRM was delighted to participate in that event, which enabled the general
public to get acquainted with the institution and assess the efforts it has been making since
2003 to strengthen Democracy and Good Governance in Africa.
We, once again, wish to express our gratitude to all those who have been contributing
to the success of this novel process. Our special thanks go to all the stakeholders -
civil society organizations, the media, academia, parliamentarians, the private sector,
government institutions - and, of course, to the Strategic Partners of the APRM: United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Economic Commission for
Africa (UNECA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Stakeholders to this Process can continue to count on the credibility of the APRM and on
the professionalism of its staff. We are giving serious attention to improving the working
conditions of each and every one, in order to preserve the good performances obtained
and do better in the future. In this regard, the meeting held between the Staff and Members
of the APRM Panel on 18 March 2011 generated much hope. The first of its kind in the
history of the APRM, this meeting was held at the end of a busy week during which the
Revised APRM Questionnaire was discussed and validated at a workshop that brought
together about a hundred participants. The APRM will soon be provided with new research
tools for country reviews in the areas of Governance and Socio-economic Development.
The highlights of this comprehensive exercise are also presented in this Newsletter.
We hope you will enjoy reading this issue and we thank you in advance for any useful
comments you may wish to make
OURALBUM
Some members of the Management and Staff of the APRM Secretariat, particularly the Female Staff, delighted and
relaxed after the Validation Workshop on the Revised Questionnaire organized from 16 to 17 March in Johannesburg.
2 Vol. 02 Quarterly April-June 2011

3. N E W S
Political situation in certain African countries
APRM Panel deeply concerned
I
n a Declaration issued on 21st
March
2011, the Members of the Panel of
Eminent Persons of the African Peer
Review Mechanism (APRM) express
their deep concern about the critical
situation prevailing in certain African countries in
the recent past.
According to Professor Mohamed-Séghir Babès,
Chairperson of the Panel, « the various demands
made by people here and there have issues
pertaining to all the elements of governance as
common denominator».
He indicated that this political situation was
examined and discussed in depth at the 48th
Meeting of the APRM Panel on 15th
March 2011
in Johannesburg, South Africa.
« The Panel cannot remain indifferent to what
is happening», the Chairperson added. He
indicated that this gesture from the Panel
conforms to its mandate, as a moral authority
with responsibility to independently monitor and
The various demands made
by people here and there have
issues pertaining to all the
elements of governance as
common denominator
assess developments in the APRM member
Countries in the areas of Democracy and Political
Governance, Economic Governance and
Management, Socio-economic Development
and Corporate Governance.
At a time when twenty (20) African countries are
gearing up to organise municipal, senatorial,
presidential or legislative elections in 2012,
the Panel is keen to sound a note of caution
by encouraging the authorities and leaders
concerned to respect the rules of democracy
and transparency - the sole guarantees for
stability, peace and development.
The Panel emphasizes that the APRM is «an
innovative and important instrument» established
by the African Union to accompany and assist
the Member Countries in their endeavour to face
up to such formidable challenges and improve
their practices in terms of governance.
The Panel invites the countries that have not
yet acceded to the Mechanism (which currently
has 30 members) to do so, thereby recalling an
appeal made by His Excellency Meles Zenawi,
Chairperson of the APR Forum, at the opening of
the 14th
Forum of Heads of State and Government
of the Countries Participating in the APRM, on 29
January 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Apart from this topical issue, the Panel Members
considered, among other agenda items, reports
on the Country Review Mission conducted from
7 to 25 February 2011 in Zambia and the Support
Mission to Djibouti, which was organised from 21
to 24 February 2011.
The 48th
Panel Meeting also deliberated on
matters concerning preparations for the review
and follow-up missions envisaged in the first
quarter of 2011 in Sierra Leone and Kenya
Contacts
African Peer Review Mechanism Secretariat (APRM)
P.O. Box 1234, Halfway House
Midrand 1685, South Africa.
Physical Address:
International Bus. Gateway, Cnr Challenger &
Colombia Ave; Gateway Park B; Second Floor
Midridge Park; Midrand; Halfway House
Tel: +27 (0) 11 256 3417
Fax: +27 (0) 11 256 3456
Website: www.aprm-international.org
Editorial Team
Editor: Mr. Assefa Shifa
Chief Executive Of cer, APRM Secretariat
Deputy Editor: Dr. Moïse Nembot
Deputy Chief Executive Of cer, APRM Secretariat
Managing Editor: Dr. Norbert N. Ouendji
Consultant - Communication Expert
Translator / Editor (English): Mr. Attah Owusu-Boaitey
Contributors: APRM Staff - Copyright: APRM Secretariat
Number of copies: 2,500
3Vol. 02 Quarterly April-June 2011

4. N E W S
WORKSHOP ON THE REVISED QUESTIONNAIRE
New code for reviews adopted
T
he African Peer Review
Mechanism (APRM) organized
a Validation Workshop on its
Revised Questionnaire from 16 to 17 March
2011 in Johannesburg (South Africa). For
two days, Ministers and Officials in charge
of the APRM in the member countries,
strategic partners of the APRM, the civil
society, academia, representatives of
research institutes, etc., had in-depth and
constructive discussions on the new rules
for reviewing governance.
During the closing ceremony, Professor
Mohamed-Séghir Babès, Chairperson
of the APRM Panel of Eminent Persons,
commended the participants for the
quality of their debates and indicated that
the recommendations made by the various
stakeholders would be implemented in
order to strengthen and further enhance
the credibility of the review of countries that
voluntarily acceded to the Mechanism.
These reviews will be pursued in the four
thematic areas of the APRM: Democracy
and Political Governance, Economic
Governance and Management, Socio-
economic Development and Corporate
Governance.
Education and Governance
The proposal by some participants to
include “Governance of Organisations”
as an additional component or in place of
Corporate Governance will be examined
by the APRM Secretariat.
The need to take several other key factors
into account in the self-assessment
questionnaire was also raised. The
hundred or so participants present
particularly requested that a special
question be formulated on how political
parties are funded in Africa. Furthermore,
the participants laid emphasis on
strengthening the role of education
in consolidating governance and
development at the continental level.
All the documents examined and adopted,
including those on Monitoring & Evaluation
and Research Protocol, will be finalized by
the APRM Secretariat and submitted to the
Forum of Heads of State and Government
of APRM Member Countries whose 15th
Summit is scheduled for June 2011 in
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
The Workshop of 16 and 17 March,
which was rounded off with a cocktail
at the Intercontinental Hotel in Sandton
(Johannesburg), was preceded on 15
March by the 48th
Meeting of the APRM
Panel
UNDERSTANDING THE REVISED QUESTIONNAIRE
The voluntary accession to the African
Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) by a
Member Country of the African Union
(AU) implies acceptance, at a given
time, of a self-assessment of the state
of the country’s governance and socio-
economic development. It also implies
acceptance of a review by African peers.
This process requires a mechanism
and appropriate research instruments
producing qualitative and quantitative
results acceptable to all stakeholders.
This explains the importance of the
Questionnaire that the APRM revised
with the support of its partners.
The APRM Questionnaire is a research
tool comprising a number of pertinent
questions and indicators that enable
interviewees to express their perceptions
and opinions or to make a candid
assessment of the manner in which
their leaders are elected and promoted
to responsible positions. Similarly, they
are offered the opportunity, through the
Questionnaire, to express their views
about the manner in which the leaders
carry out their duties, identify, formulate
and implement socio-economic
development policies, programmes and
projects.
In short, the Questionnaire and data
analysis as well as the results of the
related surveys make it possible to
assess progress achieved in terms of
poverty reduction and improvement
of the individual and collective welfare
of people in the States submitting
themselves to the APRM review.
4 Vol. 02 Quarterly April-June 2011

5. M
embers of the APRM Panel
held a meeting with all the Staff
Members of the APRM Secretariat
on Friday 18 March 2011 at the Headquarters
of the institution in Midrand/Johannesburg. In
his introductory remarks, Professor Mohamed-
Séghir Babès, Chairperson of the APR Panel,
expressed gratitude to the Staff and Consultants
for the professionalism they have shown in
carrying out their duties to date. He particularly
expressed appreciation for their contribution to
the success of the Validation Workshop on the
Revised APRM Questionnaire, which was held
from 16 to 17 March 2011 in Johannesburg.
Capacity Building
«We are aware of the difficulties you are facing.
We are trying to do everything in our power to
find solutions to them as quickly as possible»,
Professor Babès said. He instructed the Chief
Executive Officer of the APRM Secretariat and his
Deputy to follow up that issue. The Chairperson
of the Panel assured the Secretariat that «the
operational capacity will be strengthened».
Meanwhile, Barrister Julienne Ondziel Gnelenga,
a Panel Member, urged the Staff to have
confidence in the institution, develop the human
qualities required for their professional success
and work in a spirit of solidarity. « We are deeply
concerned about your situation. We are going to
do everything to find solutions to the prevailing
problems, even if all does not depend on us »,
she explained. « We do appreciate the efforts that
each and every one of you is making under the
current conditions. You have our full support»,
added Professor Amos C. Sawyer, a Panel
Member. He reassured the Staff that the Panel
is most willing to mobilize itself to guarantee a
genuine career development plan for all the staff
members.
Headquarters Agreement
«We will see things more clearly in the near
future», concluded the Chairperson of the Panel,
who expressed the hope that the transitional
period through which the APRM is currently living
will soon come to an end. Mr. Assefa Shifa, Chief
Executive Officer of the APRM Secretariat, gave
the background to the existing situation and
announced that a mission would soon be sent
to the Headquarters of the African Union (AU)
in Addis-Ababa (Ethiopia) to assess progress in
the proposed integration of the APRM into the
AU System. In addition, the negotiation of a
new Headquarters Agreement with South Africa
will help to acquire certain operational facilities
for the APRM, in its capacity as an institution
with diplomatic status – in conformity with
international law.
The staff members are eager for this outcome
that will enable them to eventually work safely.
This vision indeed constituted the main thrust
of the views expressed by all the staff members
who aired their grievances during the meeting of
18 March 2011, which ended with an inspection
of the Office premises by the Panel members
and a convivial snack session marked by further
informal exchanges.
The Panel members undertook to come and
meet with the APRM Staff any time they hold a
session in Johannesburg. The 49th
Panel Meeting
is scheduled for 15 and 16 May 2011
The Chief Executive Officer of the APRM, Mr.
Assefa Shifa, has held a fruitful working session
with Advocate Zwelethu L. Madasa, Clerk of
the Pan-African Parliament (PAP). The meeting,
which took place on 29 March 2011 on the
premises of the APRM Secretariat, enabled
the two officials to exchange views on their
experiences in the daily management of their
respective institutions. Mr. Assefa Shifa spoke
briefly about missions of the APRM before
dwelling on the stages of its evolution to date. He
reassured his guest of APRM’s determination to
strengthen relations with PAP especially since the
continental Parliament is one of the organisations
where APRM Country Review Reports have to
be tabled for discussion..
« Pan-African institutions must work together
for the development of the continent », said
Advocate Zwelethu L. Madasa, who was
accompanied by Mrs. Helen B. Dingani from the
Legislative Affairs Department of the Pan-African
Parliament.
APRM and PAP are indeed two organs of the
African Union (AU) with their Headquarters in
Midrand/Johannesburg (South Africa). Some
pertinent initiatives (information and advocacy)
are envisaged at sessions of the Parliament – the
upcoming session will take place from 9 to 20
May 2011.
In another connection, PAP expressed its wish
to work in synergy with APRM in undertaking
and implementing important actions in the
communication field in general and in promoting
freedom of speech in particular.
Governance of the APRM
Panel Members meet with Staff
N E W S
Mr. Assefa Shifa (right) and his two
guests after the meeting.
APRM-PAP
Synergy underway
5Vol. 02 Quarterly April-June 2011

6. T
he African Peer Review Mechanism
(APRM) conducted a review mission
to Zambia from 7 to 25 February 2011.
The process was officially launched at the “State
House” on 8 February 2011 by President Rupiah
Banda, who urged the experts to be objective
in gathering and processing information. He
expressed the need to separate fact from fiction,
rumours from empirical evidence and official
statistics from unfounded claims.
A press conference was held on the same day to
highlight the main purpose of the mission, which
was to validate the self-assessment report and
the National Programme of Action that Zambia
submitted to the APRM Secretariat. The Mission
visited all the provinces of the country and
reviewed it in the four thematic areas focused by
the APRM: Democracy and Political Governance,
Economic Governance and Management,
Corporate Governance and Socio-economic
Development. In this regard, the Country Review
Team held discussions and working sessions
with civil society organisations, government
institutions, parliamentarians, traditional leaders,
academia, the media, the diplomatic corps and
representatives of the private sector.
The team met at the Headquarters of the APRM
in Midrand, Johannesburg, from 21 to 25 March
2011 to draft the Country Review Report.
The Mission was led by Professor Amos C.
Sawyer, member of the Panel of Eminent
Persons responsible for Zambia, a Southern
African country that joined APRM on 22 January
2006. He was accompanied to Zambia by 12
international consultants. Six experts from UNDP,
UNECA and AfDB (Strategic Partners) and two
representatives of the APRM Secretariat were
also part of the mission.
Before leaving the Capital, Lusaka, on 25
February, the Mission called on the Zambian
Vice-President, His Excellency George Kunda. A
report on the mission was presented at the 48th
Meeting of the Panel held on 15 March 2011 in
Johannesburg
O
n 22 February 2011, the President
of the Republic of Djibouti, His
Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh,
signed the Memorandum of Understanding
on the Technical Assessment Mission and
Country Review Visit by experts and members
of the APRM.
The official ceremony for this event took
place 24 hours after a preparatory meeting
between the APRM Delegation, which arrived in
Djibouti on 21 February, and Mr. Mahamoud
Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation, the APRM Focal
Point in Djibouti. Before leaving Djibouti on
24 February, the Delegation also visited
Dikhil in the South-west. It met with various
stakeholders such as local councillors,
civil society organisations, administrative
authorities, representatives of the private
sector, political parties (including those from
the Opposition), etc.
The Mission was led by Barrister Julienne
Ondziel Gnelenga, member of the APRM
Panel of Eminent Persons. Apart from the
representatives of the Strategic Partners of
the APRM (African Development Bank, United
Nations Development Programme and United
Nations Economic Commission for Africa),
the Delegation included an official from the
APRM Secretariat. Barrister Julienne Ondziel
Gnelenga presented a report on the Mission
at the 48th
Meeting of the APR Panel, held on
15 March 2011 in Johannesburg.
Djibouti joined the APRM at the 7th
Forum of
Heads of State and Government participating
in the Mechanism, held in July 2007 in Accra,
Ghana. President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh was
among the Heads of State and Government
who took part in the 14th
Summit of the APRM
Forum held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 29
January 2011. By signing the Memorandum
on the Technical Review Missions and the
Country Review Visit, he clearly demonstrated
his country’s readiness to begin the self-
assessment process in the areas of
Democracy and Good Political Governance,
Economic Governance and Management,
Socio-economic Development and Corporate
Governance
N E W S
REVIEW MISSION
Zambia on the front line
SUPPORT MISSION
Djibouti set to launch its self-assessment
6 Vol. 02 Quarterly April-June 2011

7. T
he 14th
Forum of the African Peer
Review Mechanism (APRM) was held in
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) on 29 January
2011. At the Summit, the Heads of State and
Government of the participating countries agreed
to hold, in the near future, a retreat to examine
the cross-cutting issues identified in the Country
Review Reports. These issues concern, in
particular, elections, corruption, gender-related
problems, challenge of diversity and xenophobia,
management of natural resources, especially
land, etc.
• Prior to the adoption of this resolution,
the President of Liberia, H.E. Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf, signed a Memorandum of
Understanding on her country’s accession
to the APRM (see photograph above).
• Liberia thus became the 30th
member of the
APRM, which represents about 76% of the
total population of Africa - more than one
billion people.
• H.E. Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
and Chairperson of the APRM Forum,
hailed Liberia’s accession and encouraged
the other AU member-countries that have
not yet joined the APRM to do so “as soon
as possible”.
• In his opening address, H.E. Meles Zenawi
also favourably welcomed the return of
Mauritania, which was reintergrated into the
Mechanism after a period of suspension
following the 2008 coup d’état in the country.
• As in the case of the 13th
Forum, held
in Kampala (Uganda) in July 2010, the
Chairperson of the Forum stressed the
importance of ownership of the APRM by
Africans and invited the member countries
to pay up their contributions so as to ensure
the success of the Process.
• The audience also listened attentively to
addresses by H.E. Jean Ping, Chairperson
of the AU Commission, and Professor
Mohamed Séghir Babès, Chairperson
of the APRM Panel of Eminent Persons.
They all emphasized, among other issues,
the important role played by the APRM in
fostering democracy and good governance
in Africa.
• These addresses were followed by the
presentation, by Barrister Akere Muna,
Panel Member in charge of the review
process of Ethiopia, of the country’s Review
Report covering the areas of Democracy and
Political Governance, Economic Governance
and Management, Corporate Governance
and Socio-economic Development.
• The Report was discussed by the Forum,
which also took note of the responses
and remarks by H.E. Meles Zenawi,
Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of
Ethiopia. The debates were conducted
by H.E. Armando Guebuza, President of
Mozambique.
• Presidents Jacob Zuma from South Africa,
Goodluck Jonathan from Nigeria and the
Prime Minister of Lesotho, H.E. Pakalitha
Mosisili, also presented to the APR Forum
the Progress Report on Implementation of
the National Programme of Action (NPoA) in
the areas of Good Governance and Socio-
economic Development in their respective
countries. Their peers appreciated the efforts
being made in these areas in the three
countries, which were assessed in 2007,
2008 and 2009 respectively.
Heads of State to hold a retreat on cross-cutting issues
E C H O E S F R O M T H E 1 4 T H
A P R M F O R U M
H.E. Jacob Zuma
H.E. Goodluck Jonathan
H.E. Pakalitha Mosisili
H.E. Meles Zenawi
7Vol. 02 Quarterly April-June 2011

8. O
ne of the highlights of the 14th
Summit of the African Peer Review
Mechanism Forum was the Press
Cocktail offered by the APRM Panel and
Secretariat on 29 January in the courtyard of the
African Union (AU). Immediately after the Press
Conference, which marked the end of the Forum
of Heads of State and Government, the journalists
were invited to share a drink with the big family
of the APRM. A delicious menu, concocted by
caterers at the “Congo Hall” (the AU Restaurant),
was served after a meticulous working session
with the APRM staff members. The feast was
grandiose. The purpose of the cocktail was not
only to establish warm contacts with the men and
women of the Media, but also, and especially,
to commend them for the work they are doing,
sometimes under very difficult conditions. Their
contribution to the dissemination of information
on the stakes of the 14th
Forum and expectations
of Africans from the Mechanism was, indeed,
highly appreciated.
The Press Cocktail of 29 January 2011 also offered
the Chairperson of the Panel the opportunity to
have friendly discussions with Ms Habiba Mejri-
Cheikh, Head of the AU Communication and
Information Division (see picture below). He used
the occasion to express the APRM’s gratitude
for her staff’s contribution to the success of the
media coverage. This great moment of sharing
and communion was highly appreciated by the
journalists, the other partners of the APRM and all
those who spontaneously attended the cocktail.
• Ghana, the first country to be peer-
reviewed in January 2006, requested a
second review. The Forum approved the
request and, consequently, the Panel will
be sending a mission to prepare Ghana’s
second-generation review.
• The issue concerning the Operating
Procedures was on the Agenda. Mr.
Newai Gebreab, Representative of the
Committee of Focal Points, who is also
the Focal Point for Ethiopia, indicated
that the Panel Members and APRM Focal
Points held a meeting on the issue on 28
January in Addis Ababa, but failed to reach
a consensus. The two parties decided to
meet again in March 2011 in Johannesburg
(South Africa) to pursue the discussions
and adopt a consensual position.
• The Forum also considered and adopted
the APRM Audit Report for 2009.
• The appointment of new members of
the APRM Panel of Eminent Persons,
initially included in the Draft Agenda, was
postponed.
• The 14th
APR Forum was rounded off with
a Press Conference by H.E. Armando
Guebuza, President of Mozambique, who
chaired the proceedings on behalf of H.E.
Meles Zenawi, Chairperson of the Forum,
whose country was reviewed during this
edition.
• The next Summit of the APRM Forum
will take place in June 2011 in Malabo
(Equatorial Guinea). By tradition, it will
be held on the eve of the African Union
Summit, scheduled to take place in this
Central African country
Synthesis by Norbert N. Ouendji
Special Correspondent, Addis Ababa
E C H O E S F R O M T H E 1 4 T H
A P R M F O R U M
A Very Warm Press Cocktail
HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE 14TH
FORUM
His Excellency Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
His Excellency Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa
His Excellency Blaise Compaoré, President of Burkina Faso
His Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti
His Excellency John Atta-Mills, President of Ghana
His Excellency Pakalitha Mosisili, Prime Minister of Lesotho
Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia
His Excellency Armando Guebuza, President of Mozambique
His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan, President of Nigeria
His Excellency Omar el-Béchir, President of Sudan
Several other countries participating in the APRM were represented by Ministers and Heads
of Delegations. The members of the Panel, the Management of the APRM Secretariat, also
participated in the meeting. They were accompanied by about ten staff members, who
contributed remarkably to the success of the Forum.
OPERATING PROCEDURES
The meeting between the Focal Points and the Panel did not take place
The Meeting between the APRM Focal Points and the APRM Panel, which was envisaged on the
margins of the Validation Workshop on the Revised APRM Questionnaire, held on 16-17 March in
Johannesburg, did not take place. Some Focal Points wondered why this key item was not on the
Workshop’s Agenda. Others, such as the Burkina Faso Focal Point, had to restate that it was not
appropriate to mix up both events. Then, Prof. Mohamed-Séghir Babès, Chairperson of the Panel,
made it clear to the nearly one hundred participants in attendance that the onus was on the Focal
Points’ representatives to call the said meeting pursuant to the decision taken on 28 January 2011
during the Pre-Summit Meeting preparatory to the 14th
APRM Forum. The Panel hopes that before
the next Forum of Heads of State and Government scheduled for June in Malabo, this meeting
with Focal Points will be held and, more importantly, that both parties will reach the much desired
consensus on the Operating Procedures governing the management of the APRM.
8 Vol. 02 Quarterly April-June 2011

9. E C H O E S F R O M T H E 1 4 T H
A P R M F O R U M
T
he APRM Panel of Eminent Persons
met with the Strategic Partners
of the Mechanism on 28 January
2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Professor
Mohamed-Séghir Babès, Chairperson of
the Panel, welcomed the representatives
of the Strategic Partners - Dr. Tegegnework
Gettu (UNDP), Mr. Gabriel Negatu (AfDB)
and Dr. Abdallah Hamdok (UNECA) to
the first meeting at which he presided as
Chairperson. He indicated that, unlike the
practice in the past, the Chairperson of the
Panel acts among peers (inter pares). He
stressed that, henceforth, he would like this
principle of equality among Panel members
to guide relationships within that Authority.
The Chairperson expressed the Panel’s
deep appreciation for the Strategic
Partners’ acceptance to attend such
an important meeting where they were
expected to debate strategies aimed at
bringing the APRM to loftier heights. He
reiterated the Reconstituted Panel’s desire
to see relations with the Strategic Partners
reinvigorated and to maintain the original
spirit of the Pioneers of the APRM when the
APRM Forum decided to designate UNDP,
UNECA and AfDB as Strategic Partners
of the APRM. He added that their support
to the APRM is critical especially at a time
when passionate appeals for deepening
democracy and good governance are
being launched in Africa.
UNDP congratulates the Panel
Dr. Tegegnework Gettu, Director of
the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa,
congratulated the Reconstituted Panel on
its performance to date vis-à-vis the huge
responsibilities entrusted to the Panel. He
reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to continue
supporting the APRM. In this context, he
announced that UNDP had just earmarked
an amount of 5 million US Dollars for the
APRM, in addition to the 3 million US
Dollars remaining in the APRM Trust Fund.
Noting with satisfaction the progress made
so far by the APRM, Dr. Gettu indicated
that it is essential to develop strategies
aimed at increasing the membership of the
Mechanism.
Dr. Gettu concluded his statement by
recalling a number of activities undertaken
by UNDP in support of APRM programmes.
He mentioned, in particular, the recent
Meeting in Kampala (Uganda) on Monitoring
and Evaluation of National Programmes of
Action (NPOAs) and UNDP’s participation
in the Project on Streamlining and Fast-
tracking the APRM Process in collaboration
with other Strategic Partners.
ECA appreciates the success of the APRM
Dr. Abdallah Hamdok began his statement
by conveying apologies from Mr. Abdoulie
Janneh, the Executive Secretary of the
UN Economic Commission for Africa, who
could not attend the meeting. Dr. Hamdok
noted the remarkable progress and success
achieved by the APRM, particularly in terms
of the opportunity to widen the political
space for broad-based participation in the
APRM process in the member countries.
He recalled that the APRM process and
related reports have helped in identifying
a number of overarching issues such as
diversity management, electoral violence,
land reform, youth unemployment and
gender equality that are currently central to
the political crises in some countries such
as Kenya, Tunisia and Egypt.
Dr. Hamdok also emphasized the urgent
need to restructure and strengthen the
capacity of the APRM Secretariat and
expressed hope that this issue would be
accorded special attention by the current
Panel.
AfDB acknowledges the work of the APRM
Mr. Gabriel Negatu conveyed apologies
from Dr. Donald Kaberuka, President of
the AfDB, who was unable to attend the
meeting. He reiterated the AfDB’s continued
support and commitment to the APRM.
Mr. Negatu commended and encouraged
the Staff of the APRM Secretariat, observing
that, in spite of some difficulties and its
limited staff, the Secretariat had succeeded
in delivering quality outputs.
He noted that the African Development
Bank supported efforts geared towards
strengthening the capacity of the Secretariat
by providing it with financial support,
particularly to the Project on “Streamlining
and Fast-tracking the APRM Process”.
Concluding his statement, Mr. Negatu
highlighted some issues which, in his
opinion, had to be resolved in order to
ensure the progress of the APRM. In this
regard, the AfDB Representative indicated
that it is important to inquire whether the
Mechanism, which has 30 members, has
been a “transformational process”. He
added that, as the APRM is now embarking
on second-generation reviews, it is very
important to consider how it can contribute
some added value to Governance in the
member States
PARTNERSHIP
UNDP, ECA and AfDB reaffirm their support to the APRM process
9Vol. 02 Quarterly April-June 2011

10. 1 4 T H A P R M F O R U M - 1 6 T H A U S U M M I T
AU EXHIBITION
T
he African Peer Review Mechanism
(APRM) Stand was very noticeable
during the exhibition organized by the
African Union (AU) on the margins of its 16th
Summit that was held from 30 to 31 January
2011 at the United Nations Conference Centre
in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The APRM billboards
were set on the ground floor of the vast premises
where the Headquarters of the UN Economic
Commission for Africa (UNECA) is located. The
APRM Communication Officer and the Support
Staff mobilized by the Secretariat had displayed
them at strategic points, including at the entrance
to the Exhibition Centre.
New billboards featuring the thematic areas
covered by the APRM were made for the occasion
with an important innovation: the messages
were available in both French and English. This
approach was intended to quickly give visitors
an idea about APRM and its functions. Other
information tools such as brochures, flyers,
Country Review Reports and institutional journals
were also exhibited at the APRM Stand.
The first edition of the “APRM Newsletter” printed
in English and French occupied a prominent
place. As a result of high demand, the supply of
the bilingual publication ran out in two days and a
second printing of 500 copies had to be ordered.
A PDF version was e-mailed to various partners
as an interim measure.
Prior to the stock shortage, arrangements
had already been made to provide copies of
the Newsletter to the Heads of State, APRM
Member States and Focal Points. The quality
of the Newsletter, which featured highlights of
the statutory meetings of the APRM, was highly
appreciated by many recipients.
In addition to the communication tools, the
APRM arrived in Addis Ababa in January 2011
with a range of promotional products visibly
displaying its logo: bags, laptop cases, polo
shirts, caps, key holders, squeeze bottles, strap
lanyards, notepads, rulers, pens, etc. The flags
of the thirty APRM member countries gave the
Stand a special flair. The Stand attracted an
impressive number of people who took pride
in seeing one of the prominent symbols of their
countries. Some visitors were so excited that
they even offered to buy their national emblem
if they could not get it for free. They eventually
found consolation in souvenir pictures.
A Guest Book was also made available to the
visitors. The prominent personalities who signed
their names in the Book and left encouraging
comments comprised the South African Minister
and APRM Focal Point, several of his colleagues
including the Focal Point for Togo, the Chief
Executive Officer of NEPAD, a Senior Staff from
UNICEF and the President of the Federation of
African Journalists (see photographs in the right
column).
Some journalists in search of information on the
APRM also gave their views on the Mechanism.
Others chose this warm and friendly environment
to conduct interviews in the presence of many
curious onlookers.
In conclusion, the APRM Stand bubbled with
excitement. The Quiz organized during the
Exhibition contributed to the resounding success,
which was acknowledged by Panel members and
the Management of the APRM Secretariat
Norbert N. Ouendji
Special Correspondent
The APRM Stand was one of the most visited
10 Vol. 02 Quarterly April-June 2011

11. 1 4 T H A P R M F O R U M - 1 6 T H A U S U M M I T
T
he winners of the quiz competition
organized by the African Peer
Review Mechanism (APRM) during
the exhibition mounted by the African Union
on the margins of its 16th
Summit received
their prizes on 31 January 2011 in Addis
Ababa (Ethiopia).
Following the drawing of lots at the APRM
Stand by Rahel Akalewold from the
Communication and Information Division
of the African Union (AU), the first prize
and the second prize were respectively
won by Daniel Hailegiorgis and
Getachew Defersha, both from the
United Nations Economic Commission for
Africa (UNECA).
The winner of the third prize was Mr.
Jean-Baptiste Natama Permanent
Secretary and APRM Focal Point from
the Republic of Burkina Faso, who had
already left Addis Ababa before the lots were
drawn. However, his precious prize was
delivered to him by the Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of the APRM Secretariat on 17 March
2011 in Johannesburg at a cocktail offered
at the end of the Validation Workshop on the
Revised Questionnaire.
The three winners were among the
thirteen candidates who correctly
answered the five questions on the form
that was distributed to participants at
the exhibition organized by the African
Union from 30 to 31 January 2011 at the
United Nations Conference Centre.
A total of 120 entries were recorded.
The fifteen best “losers” were each given
a bag bearing the APRM logo. All the
practical and useful items carried the APRM
logo. Their quality was hightly appreciated by
all those who visited the APRM Stand.
The APRM quiz competition was
organized to enable participants to assess
their knowledge of the history and functions of
the African Peer Review Mechanism
THE CORRECT ANSWERS
The APRM Forum of Head of State meets:
once a year - twice a year - 4 times a year
(Give the correct answer). Twice a year
Where is the APRM Office located? (City
and country): Midrand/Johannesburg, in
South Africa.
Tick the correct answer: APRM has : a) 53
- b) 29 - c) 43 Member Countries. Correct
Answer: 29 Member Countries (the quiz
was organized before the accession of
Liberia, 30th
member country).
What are the four thematic areas of the
APRM?
Democracy and Political Governance
Economic Governance and Management
Corporate Governance
Socio-economic Development.
Which country chairs the APR Forum?
Ethiopia.
AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM QUIZ
120 participants, three lucky winners
The Different Prizes
First Prize
Bag, laptop case, polo shirt, cap, key holder, squeeze bottle, strap lanyard, notepad,
pen and APRM Newsletter featuring important information on the Mechanism.
Second Prize
Bag, laptop sleeve, polo shirt, cap, key holder, squeeze bottle and APRM Newsletter
featuring important information on the Mechanism
Third Prize
Bag, polo shirt, cap, strap lanyard, squeeze bottle and APRM Newsletter featuring
important information on the Mechanism.
Mary-Anne Gollnitz from the APRM Secretariat presented
the rst prize to Daniel Hailegiorgis, an employee of ECA
11Vol. 02 Quarterly April-June 2011

12. A S S E S S M E N T O F T H E S U M M I T
The optimistic message from Professor Mohamed-Séghir Babès
T
he Chairperson of the APRM Panel
of Eminent Persons, Professor
Mohamed Séghir Babès, held a
Press Conference on 31 January 2011 in
Addis Ababa on the margins of the 14th
APRM Forum and the 16th
African Union
Summit. He was flanked by officials of the
APRM Secretariat and Barrister Julienne
Ondziel Gnelenga, member of the Panel
(see photograph above).
Professor Babès first gave the background
to the meeting which, he emphasized,
was taking place two days after the 14th
Forum of the APRM. He made a positive
assessment of this biannual meeting of
Heads of State and Government and
expressed satisfaction at the accession of
Liberia, which became the 30th
Member
State of the APRM at that Forum. He noted
that 14 countries have already completed
their review process in the thematic areas
of the APRM: Democracy and Political
Governance, Economic Governance and
Management, Corporate Governance and
Socio-economic Development. In addition
to the consideration of the Report on the
Implementation of the National Programme
of Action of South Africa, Nigeria and
Lesotho, the Chairperson of the APRM
Panel commented on the Peer Review of
Ethiopia, one of the major stakes of the
Addis Ababa Forum.
Advocacy
Drawing the lessons from this exercise
and from the review mission accomplished
in the East African country, Professor
Babès indicated that Ethiopia constituted
a “unique case”, given its history and
socio-political evolution. “Whereas the
stigmas of slavery and colonization are
still present in some African countries,
Ethiopia moved from a Feudal System
to become a Marxist-Leninist State and
is now evolving towards a new model of
Governance”, Professor Babès explained.
In his opinion, overall, the debates on the
Country Review Report on Ethiopia were
“very constructive”. The Chairperson of
the Panel took this opportunity to stress
the importance of the Mechanism. “The
APRM is a unique initiative undertaken by
African leaders. Countries that voluntarily
accede to it are those that accept to look
at themselves in their mirror and see what
they look like. They want to know what
image they portray to their African peers,”
he summed up, before announcing that the
Panel has embarked on advocacy activities
towards African Union States that have not
yet joined the APRM.
Mechanism of hope
“Despite some inadequacies or distortions,
APRM is an innovative mechanism,” he
noted, and welcomed the desire expressed
by some member States for second-
generation reviews. This is the case of
Ghana and Kenya, which were respectively
reviewed for the first time in January 2006
(4th Forum in Khartoum, Sudan) and
in June 2006 (5th
Forum in Banjul, The
Gambia). Professor Babès further indicated
that the Heads of State and Government
are keen on taking steps to improve the
self-assessment and review processes.
The Chairperson of the APRM Panel
concluded his remarks by reassuring the
journalists that their daily concerns would be
taken into account in the country reviews.
“During the Review Missions, there is an
ad hoc meeting dedicated to the Media. It
is here that the most stimulating debates
take place,” he said. He emphasized that
issues concerning freedom of speech
occupy an important place on the APRM
agenda. Professor Babès and Barrister
Julienne Ondziel Gnelenga also lifted the
veil on matters concerning the contents of
the Institution’s Communication Strategy
and Plan and made it clear that a series of
actions and activities are envisaged for the
Media
Norbert N. Ouendji
Special Correspondent to Addis Ababa
Has the Chairperson of the Forum resigned?
After the 14th
APRM Forum, it was widely rumoured
that Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had
resigned as Chairperson of the APRM Forum.
Quoting reliable sources, some journalists even gave
details of how the resignation was announced: the
APRM Focal Point for Ethiopia, Mr. Newai Gebreab,
conveyed the message to the Heads of State and
Government the Prime Minister having taken leave
of his peers after the discussions on his country’s
Review Report. When questioned about the issue
by the journalists during the 31 January Press
Conference, the Chairperson of the Panel declined
to make any comments.
“Journalists are our major partners”
About thirty (30) journalists representing National and
International Media attended the Press Conference
of the APRM Panel of Eminent Persons on 31
January 2011 in Addis Ababa - a first in the history
of working relations between the Panel and the
Media. Professor Babès stressed the need for closer
working relations with the Media in order to enhance
their knowledge of the history and functions of the
APRM. “Journalists are our partners. You are key
players and it is essential for us to understand how
you perceive the APRM,” he said. He appealed to
journalists to frequently write not only about APRM
but also about citizens’ expectations regarding good
governance practices and their perception of this
universal value. The APRM solemnly announced the
institution, in due course, of a Prize to be awarded
to Journalists who produce the best editorial articles
in this field.
In addition, a series of awareness seminars and
training will be provided to enable journalists to
familiarize themselves with the challenges facing
the APRM and the best way in which they can be
dealt with. Beyond this major concern, the APRM
is determined to face up to its challenges and carry
out its missions for the promotion of a free and
responsible press. “It is a universal theory that we
are defending,” said Professor Babès, who added
that no country can boast of being on the road to
good governance if it does not respect Freedom of
the Press and Freedom of Speech. NNO
12 Vol. 02 Quarterly April-June 2011