Critical review of the African Peer Review Mechanism process in Rwanda

How effective and credible was the African Peer Review Mechanism in Rwanda?

Published by: Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project (AfriMAP) & Open Society Institute, 2007
Via: Eldis

This report analyses to what extent the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in Rwanda respected the criteria of effectiveness and credibility defined by the founding documents of the APRM. It looks particularly at the extent to which it was open, participatory, transparent and accountable. The report examines the level of involvement of the various stakeholders in the implementation of the APRM and the circumstances under which the process was carried out. The evaluation specifically focuses on the quality of the participation of non-governmental stakeholders in the self-assessment process in Rwanda. The report concludes and recommendations that:

• the Rwandan civil society must be more proactive Rwandan civil society must be more proactive and equip itself to participate effectively in the process, in order to take part in making the rules rather than simply following them
• development partners, particularly the EU and UNDP, should provide them with financial support for a sustainable capacity-building and institutional support-programme
• technically oriented organisations should also be included in the APRM National Commission
• analytical documents should be distributed early enough to give civil society delegates sufficient time to consult each other and harmonise their views
• the government and civil society should organise a national awareness and popularisation campaign on NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) and APRM
• Civil society should set up structures to monitor the implementation of the national PoA (national programme of action) and adherence to the norms and standards of the APRM.