13 February 2025, Addis Ababa – The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) honoured three distinguished members of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons during the 110th meeting of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons held on the sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Summit of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government. The event marked the conclusion of a four-year tenure of three Eminent members of the Panel, in accordance with the APRM Statute, and celebrated their invaluable contributions to advancing governance and sustainable development across Africa.
The outgoing members, representing the Southern, Central, and Western regions, were recognized for their dedication and leadership. Among them was H.E. Ambassador Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, the outgoing Chair of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons, whose tenure was marked by significant milestones and transformative achievements.
In her farewell remarks, H.E. Ambassador Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika reflected on the accomplishments of the APR Panel during her tenure. She highlighted the historic moment when three female leaders—herself as Chair of the APR Panel, H.E. Selma Bakta Mansouri as Chair of the Focal Points Committee, and Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre as CEO of the APRM Secretariat—spearheaded the Mechanism. This milestone underscored the APRM’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive leadership, she said.
Ambassador Mbikusita-Lewanika also emphasized the importance of financial sustainability for the APRM, echoing the CEO’s campaign to increase governance funding as a proactive measure to prevent conflicts rather than investing heavily in peacebuilding. She urged the incoming leadership to prioritize universal accession to the APRM and strengthen its presence across all African Union Member States.
The meeting featured the formal handover of leadership to H.E. Ambassador Aly Elhefny Mahmoud, the incoming Chair of the APR Panel, and H.E. Ambassador Ali Araita, the new Vice-Chair. Ambassador Mbikusita-Lewanika entrusted them with the responsibility of steering the APRM toward a financially sustainable future and expanding its impact across the continent.
Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, CEO of the APRM Secretariat, paid tribute to the outgoing members for their wisdom, dedication, and selfless service. She expressed gratitude to Ambassador Mbikusita-Lewanika, Dr. Ousmane Diallo, and Hon. Honore Mobonda for their contributions to the APRM and their unwavering commitment to Africa’s development. The farewell ceremony was part of the 110th meeting of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons, which was preceded by the 3rd Extraordinary Steering Committee of Focal Points. These meetings marked the launch of APRM side-events during the 38th AU Summit. Key events included the Presidential Breakfast on the Establishment of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) and the 34th APR Forum of Heads of State and Government. These gatherings underscored the APRM’s critical role in shaping Africa’s governance and economic landscape.
The APRM remains steadfast in its mission to promote good governance, accountability, and sustainable development across Africa. As the organization bids farewell to three of its esteemed Panel members, it welcomes a new era of leadership committed to advancing the continent’s governance agenda and achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063.
