In collaboration with Alexander Ramsbotham, CCDP researcher Achim Wennmann co-edited the 25th Issue of the Accord publication series, published by Conciliation Resources.

The publication focuses on legitimacy and the practical ways that it can contribute to building more sustainable peace. It explores a common contemporary peacebuilding theme: how can legitimate politics be developed in conflict‐affected and fragile states as part of a peace process? Armed conflict is associated with fragile governance and weak state structures.
Development policy in conflict and post conflict situations has focused on institution building and liberal statehood, but less attention has been paid to political processes and endogenous sources of political legitimacy and authority – subnational, such as communities or armed groups, or regional and cross‐border – and how to support their contribution to inclusive political settlements.

Accord 25 therefore analyses the relationship between peace processes and legitimacy by looking at 15 country case studies at various stages of conflict, including the Philippines, Syria, Afghanistan, the Basque Country, Somaliland, Yemen and Burma.

With the aim of informing and inspiring better peacebuilding policy and practice by sharing real experiences of endeavor and innovation, the publication pays attention to context, consent and change by presenting peace processes that show diverse or competing sources of legitimacy. Consequently, it seeks to provide practical peacebuilding learning, innovation and policy advice on how to promote legitimate governance in peace processes.

The full publication may be accessed online as a PDF and it is also available for download as an ebook.