APRM | On Monday, 27 June 2022, the Civil Society Information Centre Namibia (CIVIC +264) hosted a briefing session on the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process in Namibia focusing on the role of civil society. According to the APRM’s documents, civil society is supposed to play a pivotal role in the self-assessment process.
Amb. Wilfried Emvula gives an overview of the APRM structures in Namibia
The briefing session was attended by the APRM National Governance Council (NGC) members and various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Moderated by Mr Uhuru Dempers, the presenters from the APRM NGC and civil society covered the following topics:
- Overview of the APRM Structures in Namibia by Amb. Wilfried Emvula, Chairperson of the APRM Namibia NGC;
- The status and role of civil society in the AU-APRM Network of Non-State Actors by Mr Bradley Tjongarero, CIVIC +264 Communications Officer & IPPR Research Associate;
- The Country Review Report and the Targeted Review Report on Youth Unemployment in Namibia by Ms Salome Kambala & Mr Sam Shivute, APRM NGC Members
- The APRM as a tool to improve Governance by Mr Graham Hopwood, IPPR Executive Director; and
- The Draft APRM National Programme of Action (NPoA) by Ms Naita Hishoono, APRM NGC Member.
The welcoming, introduction and conclusion of the meeting were facilitated by the Coordinator of CIVIC +264, Ms Carola Engelbrecht and throughout the informative and interactive meeting, all attendees had an opportunity to make contributions and ask questions.
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The APRM is a Specialized Agency of the African Union (AU), initiated in 2002 and established in 2003 by the AU in the framework of the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
Namibia joined the APRM on 28 January 2017.
The APRM is a tool for sharing experiences, reinforcing best practices, identifying deficiencies, and assessing capacity-building needs to foster policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration.
Member countries to the APRM undertake self-monitoring in all aspects of their governance and socio-economic development. AU stakeholders participate in the self-assessment of all branches of government – executive, legislative and judicial – as well as the private sector, civil society and the media. The APRM Review Process gives member states a space for national dialogue on governance and socio-economic indicators and an opportunity to build consensus on the way forward.
- The APRM Namibia has finalised its Baseline Country Self-Assessment Report (CSAR).
- The Targeted Review Report on Youth Unemployment in Namibia was peer-reviewed by the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government on 8 February 2020 and was officially launched by the Vice-President of the Republic of Namibia, on 17 November 2021.
- The Country Review Report has been finalised. (That is the review & validation of the CSAR compiled by a visiting team of citizens from African countries.)
- The Draft APRM National Programme of Action (NPoA) has been compiled.
For more information on the APRM visit their website: https://www.aprm-au.org/