Tanzania celebrates APRM Day with more government commitment

President Jakaya Kikwete poses with APRM Tanzania team in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on January 26, this year after he submitted the  Country’s  Review Report under the auspices of the African Union governance assessment Mechanism. President Kikwete and President Michael Sata of Zambia Country Review Reports’ were reviewed by African Heads of State and Government participating in the APRM process, which celebrated 10 years today

By Special Correspondent, Dar es Salaam

TEN years since the Mechanism was incepted in Africa and almost 9 years since the government of Tanzania acceded to the continental governance assessment body, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the government of Tanzania has revealed its massive plans to strengthen the institution at the local level.

Speaking during a colourful event held in the country’s commercial Capital, Dar es Salaam, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Advocate Mahadhi Juma Maalim told a gathering to mark 10 Years of APRM at the national level, that the government plans to make APRM Tanzania its “think tank” on governance issues.

Amid sporadic rainfall that may indicate a bright future for the Mechanism, various stakeholders who participated in the process in the last 10 years were in attendance and the Deputy Minister whose Ministry coordinates the APRM in Tanzania said the government of Tanzania will continue to strengthen the Mechanism.

The event which was held at the Tanzania-Mozambique Centre for Foreign Relations was used to reflect on APRM work and stakeholders asked questions during an interaction with the Deputy Minister and APRM officials.

“As Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda said recently when adjourning Parliamentary sessions, the government will continue to strengthen the APRM office in Tanzania in terms of human and financial resources so as to make it our think tank in governance issues,” said the Deputy Minister.

Responding to issues raised by APRM Tanzania stakeholders during an interaction session as part of the celebration, the Deputy Minister cited a catalogue of human rights violations -- the killings of albinos, journalists, assault on individuals and police brutality – and warned these were some of the acts that were now tarnishing the country’s good image before the international community.

“Due to increasing cases of human rights violations … there’s need to protect individual rights … like what is happening journalists … the killings of albinos and oppressive traditions that violate people’s rights and destroy the good image of the country,” the deputy minister said.

On his part Professor Hassa Mlawa, the chairperson of the APRM Tanzania National Governing Council, told the gathering that they would work to ensure all recommendations were implemented, and called on all stakeholders to support such efforts as the country is set to start the implementation of a National Programme of Action.

APRM Tanzania Executive Secretary Rehema Twalib however informed that the government of Tanzania upheld its public obligations well and that, despite unflattering reports, the country remained committed to the principles of democracy and freedom of expression.

In a separate incident to mark the day, APRM Tanzania conducted an online interaction with its stakeholders via social networks like facebook and a local interactive online Forum known as Tanuru la Fikra (The Think Tank).

Responding to the online questions from tens of APRM and governance stakeholders, The APRM Tanzania Media and Communications Officer, Mr. Hassan Abbas said the Mechanism has offered Africa with a learning centre where the various reports peer reviewed from many countries provide a tool for cross learning.

Many stakeholders urged APRM to be more visible in its work and should play an active role to ensure that African governments act according to set standards and promote democracy. They also advised for the Mechanism to be given an independent legal status rather than its current status as a process.

Tanzania signed to the Memorandum of joining with the APRM in 2004, completed formation of its national structures in 2007 and completed its Country Self Assessment Report in 2011.

Speaking in Addis Ababa in January, the founders of the Mechanism Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Olessegun Obasanjo of Nigeria said the Mechanism offers unique opportunities for African governments to resolve governance issues from an African perspective and solidarity.