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General Information
The British–Egyptian Rule (the
Condominium)
Various reasons, including the British fear of the es-
tablishment of French influence over the Upper Nile
area, led to the reconquest of Sudan, An Anglo–
Egyptian force led by General Kitchener invaded
Sudan between 1896 and 1898, and the invasion
culminated in the battle of Omdurman. The Khalifa
escaped, but died in battle later in 1899. The es-
tablishment of a French outpost in Fashoda caused
grave international tension, but the outpost was
eventually withdrawn because of the heavy British
pressure. The rule of the Mahdi was accompanied
by considerable dislocation of Sudanese economic
and tribal life; hence, a new administration had to
be established. The old Turko–Egyptian system
of provinces and districts was reintroduced, but
with British officers in all key administrative posts.
Kitchener was appointed the first governor-general.
The structure for the form of governing Sudan was
defined in the 1899 Condominium Agreement be-
tween Britain and Egypt. This agreement enforced
the separation of the administration of Sudan from
that of Egypt, and Sudan was put under joint Anglo–
Egyptian control.
National Rule
The political development of the country during
the Condominium rule underwent three phases.
From 1898 to 1938 civilians gradually substituted
the military officers in the administration. After the
First World War, Sudanese tribal leaders were en-
couraged to take over subordinate local administra-
tion. During 1938 to 1951 the Graduates General
Congress was funded and there appeared to be
an indigenous political movement among educated
Sudanese. In 1944, the Sudanese were sitting on
the province councils and the Advisory Council
for Northern Sudan was founded, with Sudanese
members. At about this time the Graduates Con-
gress split into two parties, one favouring union
with Egypt and the other demanding complete in-
dependence for Sudan. In 1948, a party-elected
Legislative Assembly with limited powers was set
up. In February 1953 the British and the Egyptian
governments signed an agreement. This provided
a three-year period of self-Tombs-government un-
der international supervision. This began immedi-
ately, to foster the decision of the Sudanese people
on the future of their country. Elections of the self-
government parliament took place in November
and December 1953.
Independence
The newly elected government went ahead with the
process of Sudanisation of the state’s organs and
bodies, with the help and supervision of an inter-
national committee. In November 1955 it declared
the intentions of the Sudanese people to exercise
their right of independence. This was duly granted
and on 1st January 1956 Sudan was formerly de-
clared independent. In a special ceremony held at
the People’s Palace, the British and Egyptian flags
were brought down and the new Sudanese flag,
composed of green, blue and yellow stripes, was
hoisted high in the air.
THE COUNTRY TODAY
Post-Independence in Sudan
After gaining independence, Sudan underwent sev-
eral systems of national governments ranging be-
tween military and civil rule. The first national gov-
ernment was headed by Ismail El Azhari, followed
by another under the leadership of Abdalla Khalil.
This government stayed in power until 1958 when
the armed forces staged a coup d’etat and a mili-
tary government chaired by General Aboud ruled
up to 1964. A popular uprising led to the demise
of the military regime and after holding elections
under a caretaking government, a national civilian-
elected government took the reigns of power fol-
lowed by two other governments until 1969. In May
1969 the armed forces moved again and the May
regime ruled for 16 years. In 1985 another upris-
ing against the regime led to an interim government
that held general elections, and subsequently an
elected government led by Sadiq El Mahdi gov-
erned till June 1989. Then, in a move by the army,
the National Salvation Revolution was declared and
a military government under the leadership of Gen-
eral Omer Hassan Elbashir was established. From
the 11th to the 15th of April 2010, the first elections
in more than 20 years took place in the country to
elect the President and the National Assembly of
Sudan. The General Omer Hassan Elbashir from
the National Congress party was officially declared
as reelected on the 26th with more than 68% of the
votes.