09 Feb 2020

Botswana attended the African Union Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Committee of Focal Points for the first time following its signing of the instrument last year.

The meeting preceded the 33rd ordinary session of the assembly of heads of state of the African Union in Ethiopia.

In an interview, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng, said they used their participation to acquire skills essential for a review process.

Mr Morwaeng said the review mechanism was an essential step towards securing transparency and accountability.

He said APRM entailed peer self-assessment as well as allowing other member states to assess the country on matters relating to good governance, among other things.

Minister Morwaeng further indicated that joining the APRM had also demystified the belief that Botswana was indifferent to other African countries.

“As a country, we are not detached from others because we are able to share experiences with others and learn from them,” he stated.

The minister said Botswana stood ready to fully contribute ideas to the APRM and that member states were happy that the country had joined the APRM because of the value of good governance.

APRM is Africa’s self-assessment tool for good governance initiated for sharing experiences, reinforcing best practices, identifying deficiencies and enhancing capacity building among member states.

Member countries within APRM undertake self-monitoring in all aspects of governance and socio economic development and also give members a platform to dialogue on indicators of governance, among other aspects.

Out of 55 African Union member countries, only 38 had acceded to the peer review mechanism. ENDS