After nearly half a century of violent conflict with the Republic of Sudan, Southern Sudan finally acceded to international sovereignty on July 9, 2011. However, two years after its secession, the new state is once again sinking into civil war, this time between the country's politico-military leaders. This situation of ongoing conflict takes place in a context of normative pluralism characterized by the presence alongside state law of the customary norms of local communities. These emerged during the colonial period and serve as instruments of first resort in the resolution of social disputes.
Aboubacar Dakuyo's policy brief, entitled "Normative pluralism, rule of law and sustainable development in Southern Sudan", argues that the efforts of the State of Southern Sudan and its development partners to achieve sustainable development goal (SDO) 16 - or "peace goal" - the promotion of peace, justice and effective institutions - cannot be successful without taking into account the multi-normative situation in the country.