Seychelles hosts African Peer Review Mechanism workshop   |09 August 2023

Minister Radegonde addressing the gathering

•   Discuss mechanism to strengthen governance and sustainable development

Seychelles, the 40th African Union member state to accede to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), is hosting a two-day workshop to engage stakeholders by providing guidance on the implementaion of the APRM process in the country.

Representatives from sixteen countries are taking part in the workshop at the Savoy Seychelles Resort and Spa, Beau Vallon, which started yesterday.

The aim of the session, organised by the organ of the African Union (AU) in partnership with the Seychelles government, is to empower and re-energise APRM countries facing challenges in implementing their national governance review process since their accession to the mechanism.

The ultimate goal is to rejuvenate national structures and peer review processes, thus paving the way for stronger governance and sustainable development across the African continent.

It was in 2003 that the African heads of state took the decision to subject themselves, on a voluntary basis, to a self-assessment process to review progress in compliance and achievement of mutually agreed codes and standards of governments in an effort to improve the quality of governance and socio economic development in Africa.   

The APRM initiative is aimed at fostering good governance in terms of accountability, transparency, political stability, human rights protection including the economic growth across the continent, to secure its development.

Through voluntary assessments, peer learning, and mutual accountability, the APRM empowers participating countries to address governance challenges and promote sustainable development.

To date, 43 countries have voluntarily acceded to this unique Africa mechanism but only 26 have successfully implemented the self-assessment and peer reviews.

Seychelles is the 40^th AU member states to accede to the APRM in February 2020.

The APRM representatives in the workshop are from Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroun, Congo, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, the Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Tanzania, Togo, Zimbabwe and Seychelles.

It also includes distinguished representatives from Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, and Namibia who are also present to offer their valuable insights on their achievements and lessons learned.

Present at the opening ceremony were the APRM director country review coordinator, Dr Rachel Mukamunana; Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde; the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Roger Mancienne; the Minister for Internal Affairs, Errol Fonseka; the Attorney General Frank Ally; and the chief executive of the Anti-Corruption Commission Seychelles (ACCS), May De Silva, among other distinguished guests and local participants.

In a keynote address, Minister Radegonde extended a warm welcome to the foreign delegates stating it was through such exchanges that countries can learn from each other and develop African solutions to African problems.

He added that while the continent is still trying to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, the persisting climate change crisis, food and security, conflicts and instability in Africa, and in other parts of the world that are converging to compound on the difficult circumstances the continent is facing, “notwithstanding those challenges, we must not waver from our commitment to the fundamental principles of democracy, good governance, accountability and transparency”.

“Seychelles recognises those principles as key factors for sustainable development and as a formula to maintain resilience against external shocks. We strongly believe that the absence of these in society impede growth and development causing instability, increase corruption and erode the very fabric of society, leading to failed states,” said Minister Radegonde.

The minister noted that Seychelles, as a small developing state, has done relatively well in maintaining its reputation as a regional leader in the practice of good governance demonstrated through the first time in its history where in October 2020 the population elected  an opposition candidate as president, which was followed by peaceful transition of power. This, he added, meant Seychelles has been commended ever since for setting an example for other countries, particularly in the region, leading for it to be ranked second on the continent on the Mo Ibrahim index for good governance. 

He noted that given that the country acceded to APRM in early 2020, at a time when there were various factors including the Covid-19 pandemic, Seychelles has not yet been able to set up its national structures.

“We hope that through this workshop, through exchanges and knowledge sharing with other participants, we will be able to address this matter very soon to fully comply with the African and international governance commitments,” Minister Radegonde said.  

In her address to the participants, Dr Mukamunana said that to ensure the APRM's effectiveness and meaningful impact, it was essential that each participating member state creates a dedicated national structure that encompasses a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, political parties, civil society, private sector, and other relevant parties.

“The challenges of present times require that we redouble our efforts and strengthen African mechanisms and strategies aimed at the political stability and development of the continent,” she said.

In an interview with the local press, Dr Mukamunana said in the 20 years of APRM existence, there has been an improvement in terms of democratic governance across Africa but recent events such as coups and conflicts, among other challenges, are causing set-back in terms of democratic gains and stability on the continent

“We need to understand why we are experiencing those set-backs. The matter of governance is not something you do and you are done. It is a continuous improvement and that is why we need to continue to forge on to come together as member states in relation to the African Union vision, the agenda 2063, where we think the continent will be prosperous and peaceful,” she said.

Dr Mukamunana added that to reach those aspirations “we really need to utilise these mechanisms that are imbedded in our values, in our culture and where we can talk to each other on what is not working and how we can improve it as people, as society”, Dr Mukamunana said.   

It is to be noted that the chief executive of APRM, Professor Eddy Maloka, who was not present at yesterday’s session, will be present at the Savoy Seychelles Resort and Spa today for the continuation of the interactive, informative and constructive discussion.

Patrick Joubert/Press Release from Foreign Affairs department

Photos by Patrick Joubert