Summary:
- The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), which has always been voluntary, is aiming for universal accession by all African states by 2023.
- Currently, 40 of the 55 African states are members.
- The ‘expanded mandate’ of the APRM has been interpreted to cover the whole continent and not just member states.
- The APRM has struggled with the slow pace of country reviews, and several member states have done little to advance the process at national level.
- There is a danger of states’ lowering the standards of the APRM and weakening it if they are compelled to join without the commitment that voluntary accession entails.
- The new targeted reviews should not be substitutes for full reviews.
- While pursuing universal access, the APRM should still focus on its core business of country reviews.
