The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) held their 4th Joint Retreat on 7-8 April 2025, in Johannesburg under the theme Enhancing the role of the APRM in early warning and in contributing towards conflict prevention and strengthening of good governance in accordance with AU normative instruments.
The focus of the retreat was to position good governance as a strategic pillar for conflict prevention, sustainable development, and peace and security in Africa. Discussions also centred on early warning and areas for further enhancing the role of the APRM in contributing to conflict prevention and strengthening good governance. Presentations included a synthesis report on early warning for conflict prevention from the APRM peer review reports and the Country Structural Vulnerability and Resilience Assessments (CSRVAs).
Both ACCORD’s Executive Director, Dr Vasu Gounden, and Senior Researcher Dr Andrea Prah delivered presentations during the event. Dr Gounden contributed to the High-Level Panel Discussion on the Theme: “Good Governance: A Key Pillar for Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Peace and Security in Africa,” while Dr Prah spoke at the Briefing on relevant activities undertaken by AGA-APSA Members and partners concerning conflict prevention and the promotion of good governance on the continent.
The APRM has been a strategic partner of ACCORD since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2021, which was renewed in 2024. The APRM and ACCORD have also established an action plan outlining joint activities to be implemented from 2024 to 2026. One of these activities is supporting the APRM in hosting the Joint Retreat of the APRM and the AU PSC.
