Mozambique President, H.E. Filipe Nyusi, said on Thursday May 9, 2019 that Second Evaluation Report of African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is a “milestone that contributes to significant improvements on governance, democracy and dialogue”.

The President, who was speaking in the capital Maputo at ceremony to launch the Second APRM Self-Assessment Report, stated that actions have been undertaken to enhance development and emphasized the reinforcement of electoral institutions to bring effectiveness and justice to the upcoming elections processes.

The President also expressed his commitment in carrying out initiatives to implement the recommendations presented by the report. He acknowledged and appreciated the support from Civil Society and International Organizations on the process. 

The APRM is an instrument of voluntary agreement between African Union (AU) countries to develop self-evaluation mechanisms to enhance governance, peace and social and economic development. Its primary purpose is to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration.

Mozambique is among first countries to have conducted two assessments, the first in 2009, the and the second in 2018.  Various stakeholders were involved in preparing these reviews, namely the Government and civil society actors, coordinated by the National APRM Forum, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from several development partners.

Ambassador Mona Omar Attia, a member of the APRM Panel of Eminent Persons, said during the launch ceremony, that the country has made progress in democratic openness, peace building, promotion of women rights and social inclusion. The Ambassador congratulated Mozambique for these achievements and commitment in enhancing governance, transparency and development.

The ceremony was opened by the APRM Mozambique National Forum Chairperson, Professor Lourenço do Rosário who stated that despite the report indicating considerable challenges, it also demonstrates remarkable advances attained since the first report. He also pointed out that Mozambique is the first country in Southern Africa and the 3^rd in the African continent to produce the 2^nd Evaluation Report and this demonstrates the country’s commitment to APRM.