In Africa the media plays a critical role, in deepening and institutionalizing democracy. Citizens need to be informed as countries take on new responsibilities as we continue to build the Africa we want as underscored in Agenda 2063 more specifically Aaspiration Three (3), which calls for an Africa with universal culture of good governance, democratic values, gender equality, and respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law.

To ensure Africa is at the forefront of defining its own narrative the African Union through the Information and Communication Directorate (ICD) launched the African Union Media Fellowship to provide a unique platform for African journalists and content producers to enhance their capacity to reframe the African narrative and promote developmental journalism using new and emerging technologies.

As part of the AU Media Fellowship programme study tour to AU organs and specialized agencies in South Africa, the 13 fellows visited the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), a Specialised Agency of the African Union on Thursday, December 1, 2022.

The APRM secretariat educated the fellows on the formation of the institution and the role that they play as an institution in contributing to the achievement or implementation of the aspirations and goals of the Agenda 2063. In addition, the expected effects of the ratification of the Malabo Protocol by Member States were discussed.

According to Acting Chief of Staff, Batlokoa Makong, the APRM is the "baby of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)". The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), which is a voluntary instrument to which African member states accede to, function as a self-assessment mechanism tool for African Union Member States to voluntarily self-monitor their governance performance. Its main objective is to encourage the adoption of appropriate laws, policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration.

Makong further pointed out that the APRM process is designed in such a way that countries at different levels of development and governance can join it as such countries will not be judged by a rigid pass/fail system. Therefore, the assessment proposes to evaluate the most important national problems, identify the actions required, and ask the country being assessed to commit to addressing these problems.

In this respect, the African media/press, has an important role to play particularly in promoting the African narrative and perspective through relaying accurate information. Therefore, knowing that, "the standards and codes are those approved by the African countries, individually or collectively, particularly relating to the way of governance and managing African societies, economies and socio-economic development," Batlokoa Makong said.

At the beginning of this ground-breaking media engagement programme, the Director of Information and Communication of the African Union, Leslie Richer emphasised the importance of African media telling the African story. As such she acknowledged the use of technology in advancing the Agenda 2063 aspirations and goals. Ms Richer stated that, “it is important to reframe the African narrative and promote development journalism by using new technologies and emerging knowledge”.

The AU Media Fellowship study tour to the AU organs and specialized agencies have toured AU Pan-African Parliament, African Union Development Agency (AUDA- NEPAD), Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Africa Risk Capacity (ARC) and South African institutions which include South Africa Broadcasting (SABC), The MultiChoice Group, Brand South Africa, Wits School of Journalism which hosted the 3^rd series of the AU Media Roundtable. 

This program is led by the African Union and implemented through the support of the German Ministry for International Cooperation (BMZ) and implemented through a mutually reinforcing partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

Written by 2022 AU Media Fellow AïssatouFofana and Sally Nyakanyanga

For more information

Ms. Faith Adhiambo, Communications Officer- Agenda 2063 Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission