Rule of Law and Sustaining Peace: Towards More Impactful and Effective Conflict Prevention

This report examines how strengthening rule‑of‑law institutions is essential for preventing conflict, supporting political transitions, and building durable peace. It argues that while the rule of law is widely referenced across UN mandates, its operationalization remains fragmented, under-resourced, and insufficiently connected to broader peacebuilding strategies. In fragile and conflict-affected settings, deficits in justice, accountability, and inclusive governance can exacerbate grievances and weaken public trust, ultimately undermining the sustainability of peace efforts.

The publication underscores that rule-of-law support must move beyond technical capacity-building toward politically informed strategies that address structural drivers of violence. These include unequal access to justice, corruption, exclusionary governance, security sector abuses, and unresolved human rights violations. Without tackling these underlying issues, institutions may exist in form but lack legitimacy, relevance, or public confidence. The report also highlights the need for stronger alignment between national priorities and international assistance, noting that external interventions often operate in parallel to domestic systems rather than reinforcing them.

Key recommendations for policymakers include embedding rule-of-law objectives across all peace and development programming; prioritizing people‑centred justice that expands access for marginalized groups; enhancing coordination between political, security, and justice actors; and investing in national systems that can manage disputes peacefully. The report also calls for more rigorous analysis and diagnostics—particularly regarding how justice deficits influence conflict dynamics—and for UN entities to leverage their convening power to support inclusive national dialogues on accountability and governance reform.

Overall, the report frames the rule of law as a strategic foundation for sustaining peace. Effective justice systems, accountable security institutions, and legitimate governance processes provide the enabling conditions through which societies can resolve disputes non-violently, rebuild social cohesion, and prevent the recurrence of conflict. Strengthening these systems is therefore essential for achieving long-term, resilient peace outcomes.