African notion of the natural law

Abstract

This paper examines the concept of natural law, especially from the African perspective. It contends that natural law is something universal, and this being the case, Africa has its own version of it. Africa’s conception of natural law is anchored on the notion of the supreme duty as the giver of the law, and morality – the knowledge of good and bad as intricately inter-woven with this law. In this regard, the Africans appreciate the forbiddingness of certain acts as emanating from natural law, and to a large extent, enhancing human rights observance.