EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE APRM PROCESS 1.1 The Evolution of the APRM Process i. In recognition of the imperatives of good governance for development, the Sixth Summit of the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), held in March 2003 in Abuja, Nigeria, adopted the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). In adopting this memorandum, the leaders pledged to promote and protect democracy and human rights by developing clear standards of accountability, transparency and participatory governance. ii. In this regard, the APRM mandate is to ensure that participating country policies and practices conform to the values, principles, and codes and standards enshrined in the Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance. It has, at its fulcrum, deepening democratic practices, strengthening achievements, disseminating best practices, and rectifying underlying deficiencies in governance and socio-economic development processes among AU member states. The purpose is to encourage and build transformational leadership on the African continent through a self-assessment process, constructive peer dialogue, and sharing information and common experiences. iii. The APRM is open to all AU member states. Currently, 31 countries have voluntarily acceded to it, representing 652.7 million (about 74 per cent) of the total African population of 886.0 million. Accession entails undertaking to submit to periodic peer reviews and to facilitate such reviews. This includes commitment to implementing the National Programme of Action (NPOA) arising from the peer review, and operationalising the agreed parameters for good governance across the four thematic areas. iv. On the eve of the African Peer Review Mechanism’s tenth anniversary, to be celebrated next year, the mechanism is now widely acknowledged as NEPAD’s most innovative endeavour pertaining to governance in Africa. APRM implementation over the years, albeit uneven in member countries, has generated valuable experiences and lessons on governance challenges in Africa. African countries are now able to benchmark aspects of good governance on the continent, using shared African and international norms and standards as the guiding framework, including citizens’ participation in evaluating the way they are governed. v. Through the APRM, African countries may learn from each other and further deepen African solidarity and governance. Governance monitoring capacity is being developed and partnerships are being created, facilitating greater advocacy for the APRM and showcasing Africa’s innovative thinking about governance. 1.2 Tanzania and the APRM Process vi. Tanzania is among 31 African countries participating in the APRM process. The country acceded to the mechanism on 26 May 2004, with the signing of the APRM Memorandum of Understanding, ratified by Parliament on 1 February 2005. vii. The primary purpose of the APRM in Tanzania, as in other AU member states that have acceded to the mechanism, is to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth and sustainable development, by identifying shortcomings and reinforcing best practice. viii. Upon acceding to the APRM, Tanzania immediately began operationalising and institutionalising the review process. This included the appointment of Hon. Bernard Camillus Membe (MP), Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) as the Focal Point Person, with Foreign Affairs as the Focal Point Ministry. A National Governing Council (NGC) was also estalished, made up primarily of representatives from civil society organisations (CSOs). A National Secretariat was created to support day-to-day NGC operations while four 1