The 32nd Ordinary Session of The Africa Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government

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VIRTUAL, 09 February 2023 – The Africa Peer Review (APR) Forum of Heads of State and Government has officially adopted The Africa Governance Report 2023 (AGR 23), during its 32nd Ordinary Session (Summit) held virtually on 9 February 2023.

The Africa Governance Report under the theme Unconstitutional Changes of Government – Consolidated Actions to Strengthen Constitutionalism and Democracy seeks to assess the effectiveness of the legal framework in addressing the unconstitutional changes of governments on the continent.

Addressing the Summit in his Opening Remarks, H.E Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairperson of the APR Forum, expressed his gratitude to the leaders of the six countries that undertook Targeted Reviews as part of the AGR 2023 (Republic of Chad, the Union of the Comoros, the Republic of Guinea, the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of Sudan). He extended special thanks to the Republic of Guinea and The Union of Comoros, who opened themselves up to targeted reviews despite not yet being members of the APRM.

H.E Maada Bio noted the exemplary leadership of the APR Panel Members who led the review missions, as well as the resilience of the APRM CEO Prof. Eddy Maloka who under challenging conditions ensured adequate preparations for the targeted reviews and the overall preparations of the AGR 23 in close collaborations with the Africa Governance Architecture (AGA). He also attempted that the development of the AGR 23 reflects the faithful execution of the mandate of the AU Assembly of Heads of State” accorded to the APRM in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, during the 16th Extraordinary Summit held in May 2022. The 16th Extraordinary Summit requested the APRM to refocus the AGR 23 on Unconstitutional Changes of Government.

First, the Forum welcomed the accession of the Union of Comoros to the APRM, making it the 43rd country to join the Mechanism. H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Republic of Comoros affirmed his commitment to the promotion of Democracy and Good Governance on the Continent and to the ideals of the APRM. He also committed to avail his Country to the APRM processes as a way of deepening Good Governance in Comoros.

Additionally, the Forum conducted the Peer Review of the first-Generation Review of the Republic of Niger and the Targeted Review of the Republic of Djibouti which focused on fiscal decentralisation.

The 32nd Summit of the APR Forum of Heads of State and Government also considered the Presentation of the Highlights of Kenya’s Inaugural National Governance Report (NGR).

The Forum also conspired and adopted the Report of the APR Committee of Focal Points. The Report highlighted the key achievements of the APRM in 2022 as well as salient administrative issues for consideration and endorsement by the Forum and approval by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

The Forum further endorsed the 20th APRM Anniversary roadmap of activities and encourage Member States to participate in the celebratory activities. The APRM will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary on 9 March 2023. The Mechanism shall undertake events and activities throughout the year.

The Forum was attended by Heads of State and Government, Members of the APR Committee of Focal Points, Members of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons, Heads of AU Organs and Institutions, Civil Society Organizations and Members of the Media.

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