Analyzing the Colonial Influence on Customary Law in modern West Africa

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This article examines the enduring impact of colonialism on customary law in West Africa and highlights how the brutal legacy of colonialism reshaped Indigenous customs and legal systems in West Africa, leading to their radical transformation. It goes further to analyze the colonial influence on what is considered contemporary customary law in West Africa today. This article seeks to unravel these complex layers of colonial influence on customary law, providing an analysis of how colonial administrations reshaped indigenous legal systems. By understanding the historical context and mechanisms of this transformation, this study aims to contribute to ongoing discussions on the necessity for legal reform and the decolonization of legal systems in West Africa. It emphasizes the need to critically assess the colonial legacy embedded within contemporary customary law and to explore pathways for its revitalization and integration in a manner that reflects the authentic traditions and values of West African societies. 

Sopuruchi Christian is a doctoral student at the Peter Allard School of Law and a former Assistant Professor at the Jindal Global Law School Haryana India. His current doctoral research focuses on the intricate and layered subject of environmental dispute management in the West African states. His research aims to understand the environmental conflicts present in the sub-region with the objective of proposing a bespoke dispute management model to address these challenges effectively. As a corollary to his research project, Sopuruchi is passionate about building a resilient thriving community for African residents in British Columbia through effective leadership.

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Sopuruchi Christian is a doctoral student at the Peter Allard School of Law and a former Assistant Professor at the Jindal Global Law School Haryana India. His current doctoral research focuses on the intricate and layered subject of environmental dispute management in the West African states. His research aims to understand the environmental conflicts present in the sub-region with the objective of proposing a bespoke dispute management model to address these challenges effectively. As a corollary to his research project, Sopuruchi is passionate about building a resilient thriving community for African residents in British Columbia through effective leadership.