CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: THE APRM PROCESS AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN BURKINA FASO _____________________________________________________________________ Professor of Economics at the University of Tunis; and Mr Omar Saïp Sy, Professor of Management at the University of Rennes. 35. In accordance with the APRM mandate, the CRM studied in depth, and checked, the findings of the self-assessment of the NC-APRM regarding the efforts made by the country in the area of governance. More specifically, the mission: • engaged in the widest possible consultations with all stakeholders in order to produce an in-depth and complete self-evaluation report; • assessed the draft programme of action submitted by the country and made appropriate proposals; • ensured as far as possible that the self-assessment process undertaken by Burkina Faso was technically sound, credible and free from political manipulation; and • built consensus with stakeholders on outstanding issues and challenges and on the recommendations that could improve governance in the country. 36. The CRM was therefore expected to meet all the role-players involved in the APRM process in Burkina Faso, including the president of the republic, representatives of the legislature and the judiciary, the institutions of the republic, members of government, decentralised authorities in the regions and in some provinces of the country, political parties, traditional institutions of power, employer and private-sector organisations, members of civil society, opinion leaders, youth and women’s movement representatives, disadvantaged groups, and representatives of academia and the media. 1.4 Activities undertaken during the evaluation mission 37. The CRM’s work regarding the assessment started with the official launching ceremony of the evaluation process by the president of the republic, in the presence of the constituent bodies, development actors, the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organisations. This launch was followed by a press conference. The head of state granted an audience to the mission, which was followed by an audience by the prime minister. The mission then met the presidents of the institutions of the republic, the speaker of the National Assembly together with presidents of parliamentary committees and committee chairpersons, members of the government, members of the diplomatic and consular corps, members of international organisations, traditional leaders, and members of civil society and the private sector. 38. The president of the republic again emphasised his support for, and personal involvement in, the facilitation of his country’s review process. He urged all citizens of Burkina Faso, particularly opinion leaders and decision makers at 44