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The end of the Cold War was greeted with relief throughout the world. It was assumed that the era of global tension and insecurity was over and that humanity had ushered in a new world order that would guarantee peace, security, and respect for the universal principles of human rights and democratic freedoms. African leaders, diplomats, scholars, and intellectuals have recognized the plight of their countries and their peoples and have demonstrated a responsiveness commensurate to the challenge. Protecting and assisting the masses of people affected by internecine internal conflicts has entailed reconciling the possibility of international intervention with traditional concepts of national sovereignty. Recasting sovereignty as responsibility was the fundamental norm that guided the work and dialogue with governments for twelve years as representative of the UN secretary-general on internally displaced persons (IDPs) from 1992 to 2004. The global war on terror is obviously a complication insofar as it creates a Cold War–type polarization between allies and enemies.

Part I: Customary Law in Context 1. Introduction 2. Historical background: Law, war and identity 3. Customary law in its cultural context 4. Customary law and legal pluralism 5. Customary law, war and social transformation 6. The challenges of reform Part II: Substansive Examples of Customary Law 7. Introduction 8. Family law 9. Law of defamation 10. Law of property 11. Homicide and bodily injuries Part III: Voices for Customary Law 12. Introduction 13. Dr Peter Nyot Kok 14. Paul Myem Akec and John Luk 15. Attorney General Michael Makuei 16. Deputy Chief Justice, Bullen Pancol Awal 17. Tilar Deng 18. A group of Southern Sudanese judges and lawyers 19. Ambrose Riiny Thiik and Chan Reec Madut 20. Ali Osman Yassin 21. Dr Amin Mekki Medani and Omar El Farouk Shoumena