APRM Launches Inaugural Pan-African Inter-Party Dialogue Southern Africa Conference in Maseru

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) has launched a historic platform for political cooperation with the inaugural Pan-African Inter-Party Dialogue (#PAIPD) – Southern Africa Conference, held in Maseru from 10–11 December 2025. For the first time, ruling and opposition parties from across the region are convening under a continental mechanism to discuss the future of democratic governance in Africa.

In a time of global geopolitical shifts, rapid technological change, and rising citizen expectations, PAIPD provides a neutral, principled, and home-grown forum where political actors can engage constructively and strengthen democratic resilience. The conference supports the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, Agenda 2063’s Aspiration 3 on good governance, and the APRM Strategic Plan 2025–2028, demonstrating the continent’s commitment to institutional integrity and democratic norms.

Ambassador Ntsiuoa Sekete, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the African Union, emphasized the significance of the dialogue: “This Dialogue represents Africa at its best—courageous, introspective, and willing to learn from one another. Political parties remain the heartbeat of democratic governance. By bringing ruling and opposition parties into the same room, the APRM is strengthening trust, reducing polarisation, and promoting the values that hold our societies together. As Lesotho hosts this inaugural edition, we are proud to contribute to a continental legacy of transparent, peaceful, and accountable politics.”

He added that creating safe spaces for cross-party engagement is critical, particularly in contexts where political contestation can overshadow long-term national priorities. “Dialogue is not a luxury—it is a necessity for the Africa we aspire to. In an era of misinformation, digital disruption, and economic uncertainty, PAIPD provides a disciplined forum for political actors to re-align around the public good.”

The Maseru conference convenes party leaders, governance experts, youth wings, women’s leagues, and scholars to examine themes including electoral integrity, inclusive policy-making, party financing, and the role of technology in shaping political behaviour. It also draws lessons from APRM governance reviews, offering Member States the opportunity to translate best practices into party-level operations.

By hosting this landmark event, Lesotho demonstrates its growing leadership in continental governance and its commitment to strengthening democratic institutions from grassroots participation to national and regional dialogue. The PAIPD Southern Africa Conference sets a precedent for collaborative, transparent, and accountable politics across the region.