Implications of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) on Good Governance among African Union (AU) Member States (TETFUND SPONSORED)

This study investigated the implications of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) on democracy and good governance in Africa. It was predicated on the assumption that good governance can be deliberately pursued and consciously nurtured to foster peace, progress and development among African Union (AU) member states. Three research questions were raised to guide the study which relied on both primary and secondary sources of data. A Focus Group Interview Questionnaire was designed. Eleven (11) countries were purposively and randomly selected for the study which fielded twenty four (24) respondents. The findings revealed the following: member states had good understanding of key indices upon which good governance could be identified, measured and/or benchmarked, that there was a prevalence of many democratic structures and institutions in member states with varying degrees of efficiency and effectiveness in performance and that while the present democratic attainment in member states cannot per se be linked to accession to the APRM, tangential benefits from same cannot be denied. Consequently, the study recommended that the formal structures of the APRM should be revised and a realistic time-frame be set for achieving different stages and processes of the review mechanism. Also, access to press freedom, justice and independence of the judiciary should be deeply entrenched as part of the democratic practice and culture of African states. The active participation of civil society and other non-state actors in the review process was also highlighted. A paradigm shift was also suggested to ensure that processes of the APRM actually change perceptions and build consensus around solutions. Lastly, African leaders were advised to compliment their verbal commitments to democracy and good governance with a strong political will to enforce Country Review Reports. The implementation of these recommendations will redirect the APRM process towards actualizing good governance, sustainable development and regional economic integration of African States.