tion now is for the Mechanism to deliver qualitative improvements in governance, and to demonstrate the continent’s seriousness in tackling identified challenges in governance that are obstacles to its development. The APRM provides a unique opportunity for countries that have acceded to it to strengthen their institutions and systems of governance. 1.2 Progress in the Implementation of the Mechanism 10. Membership in the APRM is open to all member states of the AU. At the time of its inception in 2003, there were only 10 pioneer members. Since then, membership in the APRM has grown. Togo’s accession in June 2008 brought the total number of AU member countries that have voluntarily acceded to the APRM to 29. 11. Current APRM membership by regional group is presented in Table 1.1. However, Mauritania ceases to be a member, following its suspension on 25 October 2008. This was due to the unconstitutional change of government following the coup on 6 August 2008, which ousted the country’s democratically elected President, Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallah. Table 1.1: Countries that have Joined the APRM between March 2003 and May 2009 1 Region Country Central Africa (5) Cameroon, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé and Principe East Africa (5) Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda North Africa (3) Algeria, Egypt, Sudan Southern Africa (7) Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia West Africa (9/8) Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, (Mauritania), Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo 12. 1 As indicated in Figure 1.1, APRM member countries represent approximately 76 per cent of the African population. APRM Secretariat, September 2008. 43