Country: Sudan Source: International Organization for Migration Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal – Western Bahr el Ghazal State has become the first state in the country to pass a comprehensive customary law bill since independence – a landmark move for South Sudan’s justice system. The new law establishes a clear legal framework to resolve disputes at the community level, helping to prevent conflict and lay the foundation for lasting peace.Customary courts remain the primary justice system for most South Sudanese, handling over 90 per cent of disputes nationwide. Yet with customs evolving unevenly over time, the lack of a unified legal reference has often led to confusion and unequal access to justice.By outlawing harmful practices like child and forced marriage and aligning customary justice with constitutional principles, the law supports more inclusive and peaceful communities. While this marks a major step forward in the development of South Sudan’s legal system, continued efforts will be needed to ensure consistency and further strengthen protections under the law.“This achievement shows how communities can lead the way in shaping a fairer South Sudan, where peace begins at the community level,” said Vijaya Souri, Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in South Sudan. “When people have trusted systems for resolving disputes and accessing justice, they are more likely to stay, invest, and build their futures at home – strengthening local stability, which is key to preventing future displacement.”Inclusive Reform with National ImpactThe bill is the result of an inclusive, State-led process supported by IOM with funding from the European Union and the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund. Chiefs, elders, legal experts, women, and youth worked together to review and modernize customary laws – expanding women’s rights to property and divorce, adjusting bride wealth rates to reduce tension, and ensuring that local norms uphold basic rights.“Customary law is one of the foundational sources of state and modern law, upon which many other laws are built. It is important because it reflects and values the diverse communities and cultures, we have. It will serve as a foundation for how our courts operate,” said Hon. Emmanuel Primo Okello, Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State. “These laws should be studied and taught in schools and institutions of higher learning in South Sudan. They help us understand the cultures and practices of other communities and tribes, which promotes coexistence and strengthens social cohesion.”The law’s passage was championed by Western Bahr el Ghazal State Governor H.E. Emmanuel Primo Okello as well by the former Governor Sarah Cleto – South Sudan’s only female governor at the time –whose leadership helped embed protections for women and marginalized groups into the law.Neighbouring States, including Warrap, Jonglei, and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, are also finalizing their own customary law reviews, signaling a broader movement to reform customary justice systems across the country.For media inquiries, kindly contact Nabie Loyce, IOM South Sudan, Tel: 0921708535, Email: nloyce@iom.int