governance and peace and security as mutually reinforcing.50 The polity and citizens as well as different segments of the citizenry are often locked in struggles for political and economic power against finite resources. Channelling such tensions through avenues built on democratic participation and inclusive development strategies has the potential to improve the chances of sustainable peace. However, governments’ legitimacy can be consolidated when democratically constituted establishments and norms respond to social justice, of which gender equality is crucial. The willingnesspolitical will- of government institutions to diffuse political power and economic resources among women and men on an equal basis is central to accountable government. Governance practices that exclude social groups, from benefitting from development and political dividends risk stirring up structural violence. The AU PSC has highlighted the importance of managing diversity as a critical component of conflict resolution.51 Diversity management is an overarching issue of APRM’s core focus at the country level. Creating conditions for good governance is essential for legitimising state authority and preventing occurrence or relapse into conflicts.52 By institutionalising democratic norms and institutions to ensure equitable distribution of power and resources, governments can balance relations of and with vying social groups.53 UN General Assembly Resolution 70/262 of 2016 refers to peacebuilding as an inherently political process, requiring programmatic, political, development and human rights mechanisms and programmes.54 The mechanisms, rules, institutions and processes through which the state ensures this are essential. Peacebuilding involves a continuum of processes which can best be implemented when embedded in governance frameworks as guarantees for men and women. General Assembly Resolution 70/262 and Security Council resolution 2282 (2016) respectively emphasise that sustaining peace is a goal and a process to build a 50 Resolutions A/60/L.40 and S/RES/1645 of 2005 Peace and Security Council Press Statement 17 December 2018 PSC/PR/BR.(DCCCXVIII) 52 General Assembly ‘Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 27 April 2016 [without reference to a Main Committee (A/70/L.43)’ 12 May 2016 A/RES/70/262 53 Khadiagala G ‘Silencing the Guns: Strengthening Governance to Prevent, Manage, and Resolve Conflicts in Africa’ IDEA 2015 54 A/RES/70/262 51 27