DAR ES SALAAM :TANZANIA has promised to cooperate with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) as the East African member state is set to undergo a Second Generation Review geared to assess progress made in governance and socio-economic development.
Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Deputy Permanent Secretary Ambassador Fatma Rajab assured the African Union’s body at a meeting with stakeholders who gathered in Dar es Salaam on Saturday to discuss preparations being carried out by Tanzania towards the crucial governance assessment exercise.
She said Tanzania is well prepared for the second review, which is anticipated to be accomplished within the time frame.
At a workshop attended by the religious leaders, civil society organisation and political party representatives, academicians and other good governance stakeholders, the deputy PS said the government okayed the exercise as it pushes for transparency, good governance and accountability at all levels.
“The decision by the government, under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, to request for the second review should be commended by stakeholders. Since the first review, many issues have changed…so we want to know where we come from, where we are and what we can do so that we can make progress,” she said.
She said the assessment will shed light on various areas of good governance especially in democracy, politics, economic, business management and provision of social services.
For the exercise to be fruitful as the country is going to prepare the report to be released in 2024, the Deputy PS advised stakeholders to adhere to all guidelines of the process as well as ensuring it is being conducted in a transparent manner and inclusiveness.
On his part, APRM Africa Chief Executive Officer Prof Edward Maloka said Tanzania’s commitment to good governance is well known and the organisation based in South Africa is ready to assist the country in the exercise.
Dr Rehema Twalib, APRM Tanzania’s consultant said the status of preparations for the country’s self-review is going as planned, promising that the first draft is expected to be out by the end of October, this year.
The expert said they have already worked on the tools to be used in the assessment including domesticating and translating the questionnaires.
On his part, Deus Kibamba, one of the stakeholders in good governance, who attended the workshop, was of the view that the second report of the review should not ignore the history of the country.
According to him, the report should entail how far the government has worked on the recommendations of the previous assessment including writing the constitution, holding elections and human rights.
