Guebuza endorses the call for transparency in APRM implementation

MARP Family photo 260210

Maputo, 26 February 2010 – “In this phase of the African Peer Review Mechanism we have a great chance to promote a culture of transparency and accountability in public affairs”, said the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Armando E. Guebuza when attending the lessons learned meeting of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in Maputo.

The APRM is a process in which African governments submit to scrutiny by other African governments that are members the African Union. Mozambique is the 12th of 31 countries to go through this process. The process in Mozambique has raised some critical issues that the President has endorsed to his administration to address. Mozambique was one of the pioneer countries that acceded to the APRM in 2003.

Armando E Guebuza 260210

UNDP Mozambique has been providing assistance to the peer review process since late 2006. The key institutions involved were trained for self-assessment. The National Forum has been overseeing the process and the Technical Unit coordinating and managing it. UNDP has also supported the assessment report, the national action plan and the wide civil society mobilization over the years. The total project costs have been some $2.400,000.

Mozambique has now reached a defining moment of this voluntary action; the self-assessment within the country and the continental assessment by the African leaders are successfully done. Now it is time to finalize the national APRM action plan that will be integrated into the national plans and policy during the next four years.

According to the President of the Republic, the success of the implementation of the action plan primarily depends on the active participation of the different sectors of the society.

For UNDP the current phase constitutes an important milestone for good governance. The Resident Representative, Ndolamb Ngokwey, reiterated the importance of the steps already taken and congratulated the participants involved in APRM. He also thanked the President for highlighting Decentralization as a main choice of the government in promoting democratic citizenship, good governance, and in the fight against poverty.

With UNDP as a strategic partner, the APRM project established the organizational structures required to enable an ongoing review of public governance and economic development in Mozambique. This was done by developing national capacities, raising awareness and ensuring civil society participation.

In 2010, the APRM Technical Unit from the Ministry of Planning and Development will be integrated into the Government structures. This is considered crucial for sustainable national execution. With the support from UNDP, later this year, the ministry will also conduct an evaluation survey that will assess the impact of the whole process on Mozambique’s governance.

Paulina M N'kunda 260210

The APRM report released in 2009, points out that the reforms that have stabilized the economy and the strides forward in the health and education sectors constitute real achievements. Areas that need improvement are in combating corruption, decreasing inequalities, political inclusion, high poverty levels, high HIV and AIDS prevalence rates, heavy dependency on development partners, issues of land ownership, and unfavorable business climate.

During the event, 59 members of the first APRM National Forum representing various sectors of the society received a special certificate of honour from the president as a token of their hard work in realizing the important project during the past three years. Ms. Paulina M. N'kunda (right) was one of the 14 women members of the forum.

Links: