Address by Algerian President before 35th Forum of Heads of State and Government of the APRM (Full Text)

The President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, delivered, on Friday, an address to the participants at the 35th Forum of Heads of State and Government of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), whose proceedings are being held in Addis Ababa, in his capacity as current Chairperson of this body. The address was read on his behalf by the Prime Minister, Mr. Sifi Ghrieb. Below is the translation:

“Your Excellency, Mr. Joao Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union,

Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Mr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

Your Excellency, Ambassador Ali El-Hefny, Chairperson of the Panel of Eminent Persons of the APRM,

Your Excellency, Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, Chief Executive Officer of the APRM Continental Secretariat,

Your Excellencies, Commissioners and Heads of Organs of the African Union,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honor for me to address your august assembly on the occasion of the holding of the 35th ordinary session of the Summit of the Forum of Heads of State and Government of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), whose proceedings are taking place under Algeria’s chairmanship, in the hospitable city of Addis Ababa.

At the outset, I wish to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Ethiopian authorities for their warm welcome and generous hospitality, and to convey my deep gratitude to the leadership of the African Union and, through it, to the APRM Continental Secretariat, for the excellent preparation and rigorous organization of our Summit.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This Summit, which marks the end of Algeria’s rotating chairmanship of the APRM Forum, constitutes an important institutional moment, allowing, on the one hand, the presentation of the record of the Algerian chairmanship for the 2024–2026 period and, on the other hand, the smooth and orderly transfer of the Forum’s presidency to the Republic of Uganda, a brotherly country, in accordance with the internal rules of the Mechanism and the relevant resolutions of the African Union.

Algeria’s commitment, in its capacity as a founding member, to promoting the principles of the APRM and achieving its objectives is a natural extension of its active participation in the continental mechanisms of the African Union. It is grounded in respect for the sovereignty of Member States, African multilateralism and intergovernmental cooperation among the countries of the continent, in line with Algeria’s diplomatic tradition aimed at promoting dialogue and advancing African solutions to African challenges.

Algeria assumed the chairmanship of this Forum in February 2024, in a context marked by the multiple challenges facing the continent in the areas of governance, peace, security, sustainable development and institutional resilience. In this regard, it adopted a clear approach aimed at repositioning the Mechanism as a credible and effective strategic instrument, in line with the priorities of the African Union, notably Agenda 2063, the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).

From its position as Chair of the Forum, my country ensured continued support for the Mechanism’s action, while paying particular attention to expanding its scope by encouraging other brotherly African countries to join.

These efforts were crowned by the strengthening of the Mechanism’s role and standing at the national level in several African countries, reflected in the accession of two new States: the Central African Republic, which joined at the beginning of our chairmanship, and the Federal Republic of Somalia, which recently joined our Mechanism to become its 45th member.

This upward dynamic of accession constitutes a strong sign of confidence and irrefutable proof of the importance our States attach to improving and strengthening governance.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The period of Algeria’s chairmanship was marked by the achievement of several important gains, notably:

Firstly, the adoption and implementation of the APRM Strategic Plan for the period 2025–2028, based on the principles of professionalism, performance and integrity, thereby strengthening the strategic framework of the Mechanism and the effectiveness of its mandate, in line with the orientations of Agenda 2063.

Secondly, the strengthening of governance assessment mechanisms through the conduct of national and targeted reviews, promoting the improvement of public policies and the sharing of best practices among Member States.

In this regard, Sierra Leone, Togo, Ghana, Sao Tome and Principe and Zimbabwe will present their reports on the state of governance in various sectors. Likewise, Mozambique, Djibouti, Nigeria and Namibia will present progress reports on the implementation of their National Programmes of Action within the framework of the APRM.

Thirdly, the integration of e-governance as a central theme of the APRM, representing a crucial step toward the modernization of African public administrations and the adaptation of governance systems to technological developments.

Fourthly, the promotion of the Mechanism’s contribution to conflict prevention, notably through institutional dialogue with the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and action linked to the framework of the Continental Early Warning System, thereby strengthening the link between governance, stability and sustainable peace.

Fifthly, the achievement of significant progress in implementing the initiative to establish the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening the continent’s economic and financial resilience through a more balanced approach that takes African realities into account.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In addition to constant political and institutional support for our Mechanism, the Algerian chairmanship ensured financial support through a voluntary contribution of one million United States dollars. This contribution reflects our confidence in the Mechanism and in its pivotal role in promoting governance on our continent.

This financial support enabled the programming and conduct of three national reviews, including two targeted reviews for Sao Tome and Principe and Zimbabwe, in addition to the second review of Sierra Leone.

This commitment reflects the conviction that our Mechanism constitutes an essential instrument of self-assessment, constructive dialogue and shared responsibility, based on voluntary cooperation and respect for the sovereignty of Member States.

At the conclusion of this session, Algeria will officially proceed with the transfer of the Forum’s presidency of our Mechanism to His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, fully confident in the capacity of the new chairmanship to pursue the efforts undertaken, consolidate the achievements made and strengthen the role of the Mechanism within the African Union. In this regard, Algeria remains fully prepared to share its experience and the record of its chairmanship with Uganda, a brotherly country.

In the same vein, Algeria reaffirms, in its capacity as an active and fully committed participating State, its unwavering attachment to the principles, objectives and mandate of the Mechanism.

To this end, Algeria will contribute, in consultation with its peers, including the two members of the Troika, Uganda and Burundi, to efforts aimed at strengthening the capacities of Member States, enabling them to make the fullest possible use of APRM programmes designed to promote governance and encourage development and prosperity throughout Africa, convinced that this framework of cooperation will remain a fundamental pillar of common African action.

Long live Africa. Long live the APRM.

I thank you for your attention.”