CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: THE APRM PROCESS AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN BURKINA FASO _____________________________________________________________________ taken in cases where important issues have been identified. Since the draft report is first discussed with the relevant government with a view to ensuring the accuracy of the information contained therein, this provides an opportunity for the government to respond to CRM findings and to express its own views on the deficiencies identified for correction. Finally, the response of the government must be annexed to the CRM Report and the programme of action finalised by the country on the basis of the findings and recommendations of the CRM formulated in the draft report. 11. Phase four begins when the final report of the CRM and the programme of action are sent to the APR Secretariat and the APR Panel for consideration. After such consideration, the panel submits these documents to the APR Forum of Heads of State and Government of member countries for consideration and for the formulation of actions that are deemed necessary and which fall within the mandate of the forum. If the country concerned shows its willingness to rectify the identified deficiencies, participating governments must provide all the assistance within their power and must urge government and donor agencies to assist the country under review. 12. Phase five is the final stage of the APRM process. Six months after its consideration by participating countries’ heads of state and government, the final report is officially and publicly discussed by the main regional and subregional structures. These structures include the regional economic commission to which the country belongs, the Pan-African Parliament, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Peace and Security Council, and the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the AU. 13. The duration of the process can vary considerably from country to country, depending on the particular country’s specific requirements. The period of time set aside for each peer review from the beginning of phase one to the end of phase four is between six and nine months. 14. This report marks the third phase of the APRM process in Burkina Faso. It presents the findings of the CRM with regard to Burkina Faso, as well as the APR Panel’s recommendations. 1.2 Implementation of the APRM process in Burkina Faso 15. Burkina Faso signed the MOU on 20 March 2003, thereby marking the commitment of Burkina Faso’s political authorities vis-à-vis its people and the international community to comply with the principles of democracy; good political, economic and corporate governance; and sound socioeconomic development through a periodic review by its African peers. 16. After becoming part of the APRM, Burkina Faso appointed its minister of foreign affairs and African integration as the focal point for the review process. After a period of slow activity, the APRM process resumed its pace 40