Chapters › Independence to today · Sudan – Republic

Nimeiry era (Democratic Republic of Sudan)

1969 CE – 1985 CE Arabic under review

Key events

• May 1969 coup
• Addis Ababa Agreement 1972 ends first civil war
• September Laws 1983; Second Civil War begins
• April 1985 uprising

Capitals / sites

Khartoum

Geopolitics

The 1969 coup began in alliance with Sudanese communists; the partners turned on each other and Nimeiri triumphed. Brought down in 1985 by a second popular uprising, after which the military promised and delivered civilian rule within a year (GHA VIII).

Culture

The regime executed the thinker Mahmoud Muhammad Taha for apostasy and heresy in 1985 (GHA VIII).

Economy

After the May 1969 coup the RCC nationalised many industries, businesses and banks (LOC1991_NIMEIRI, 1991); the 1970 Nationalization of Banks Act put all domestic banks under the Bank of Sudan, and the 1970 Unregistered Land Act declared waste, forest and unregistered land government land (LOC1991_FINANCE; LOC1991_ECONDEV, 1991). The 1970–74 Five-Year Plan was drafted with Soviet planners; the 1970–71 nationalisations deterred private investment, and denationalisations from 1972 and the 1974 'open door' policy brought foreign banks back, including the Faisal Islamic Bank (1977) (LOC1991_ECONDEV; LOC1991_FINANCE). Gulf capital poured in on the expectation that Sudan would become 'the breadbasket' of the Arab world (LOC1991_ECON, 1991). Chevron began exploring in 1974, struck the first commercial flow at Abu Jabirah in Jul 1979, and found the Unity field near Bentiu in 1980 (LOC1991_ENERGY, 1991). Jonglei Canal excavation began in 1978 and was halted by the SPLA in 1984; the length dug is given as differing estimates: 240 km of 360 (WP:Jonglei_Canal) or 250 km (WPR_JONGLEI) [VERIFY both]. From the late 1970s deficit financing caused inflation and debt arrears; efforts to 'Islamize the economy' in 1984 impeded a 1983 investment programme (LOC1991_ECONDEV). A Feb 1985 package devalued the pound from LSd 1.30 to 2.50 per USD [SINGLE-SOURCE: WB_SDN1985; VERIFY]. IMF/World Bank-linked price rises then set off riots in Khartoum, dated 26 Mar (MERIP1985; LAT1985) or 30 Mar (WB_SDN1985) [differing dates; VERIFY], with students chanting against rule by 'the World Bank' and 'the IMF' (MERIP1985), before the 6 Apr 1985 coup (LOC1991_TMC).

Regional power

Research in progress We have not yet read a source for this section. It will be added once one is checked; nothing is filled in by guesswork.

Open data flags

• regional_power: no actors scored
• Arabic is a WORKING TRANSLATION needing native review
• SINGLE-SOURCE: Feb 1985 devaluation figures (WB_SDN1985)
• Differing estimates: Jonglei length dug (240 vs 250 km); riot start date (26 vs 30 Mar 1985)
• VERIFY: WB_SDN1985, MERIP1985, LAT1985, WPR_JONGLEI, WP:Jonglei_Canal
• 1983 'Islamic economic laws': sources read only mention 1984 efforts to Islamize the economy and Faisal Islamic Bank privileges protected from 1983 (LOC1991_FINANCE); no specific economic statute named

Sources

1. A.A. Mazrui (ed.) General History of Africa VIII: Africa since 1935 – Sudan passages ('North Africa and the Horn', pp.148–150; economy and political-succession passages) UNESCO link [en]
2. P.M. Holt & M.W. Daly (2011) A History of the Sudan: From the Coming of Islam to the Present Day Routledge (Pearson/Longman) link [en]
3. U.S. Library of Congress, Federal Research Division (H.C. Metz ed.; history T. Ofcansky, economy R.O. Collins) Sudan: A Country Study (research completed June 1991) – 'The Nimeiri Era, 1969-85' link [en]
4. U.S. Library of Congress, Federal Research Division (H.C. Metz ed.; history T. Ofcansky, economy R.O. Collins) Sudan: A Country Study (research completed June 1991) – 'The Transitional Military Council' link [en]
5. U.S. Library of Congress, Federal Research Division (H.C. Metz ed.; history T. Ofcansky, economy R.O. Collins) Sudan: A Country Study (research completed June 1991) – 'The Economy' link [en]
6. U.S. Library of Congress, Federal Research Division (H.C. Metz ed.; history T. Ofcansky, economy R.O. Collins) Sudan: A Country Study (research completed June 1991) – 'Economic Development' link [en]
7. U.S. Library of Congress, Federal Research Division (H.C. Metz ed.; history T. Ofcansky, economy R.O. Collins) Sudan: A Country Study (research completed June 1991) – 'Energy' link [en]
8. U.S. Library of Congress, Federal Research Division (H.C. Metz ed.; history T. Ofcansky, economy R.O. Collins) Sudan: A Country Study (research completed June 1991) – 'Finance' link [en]
9. World Bank Prospects for Rehabilitation of the Sudanese Economy (report, 1985) link [en]
10. MERIP (Middle East Report) The Generals Step In link [en]
11. Los Angeles Times (wire report) Food Price Rioting Flares for 3rd Day in Khartoum; 5 Dead link [en]
12. World Press Review Background: Sudan's Jonglei Canal Project link [en]
13. Wikipedia (en) Jonglei Canal link [en]
14. Wikipedia contributors Gaafar Nimeiry Wikipedia link [en]
15. Wikipedia contributors Addis Ababa Agreement (1972) Wikipedia link [en]

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