Chapters › Independence to today · Sudan – Republic

Transitional & third parliamentary period

1985 CE – 1989 CE Arabic under review

Key events

• Swar al-Dahab transitional council
• PM Sadiq al-Mahdi 1986–89

Capitals / sites

Khartoum

Geopolitics

After the 1985 uprising the military's promise of restoring democracy within a year was kept, 'though civilian rule did not last' (GHA VIII).

Culture

Before the 1989 coup Sudan had 'a lively press', with most parties publishing periodicals: 22 dailies in Khartoum (19 Arabic, 3 English) and 55 daily or weekly papers and magazines nationwide (LOC1991_MEDIA, 1991). After 16 years of one-party rule about 40 parties registered with the TMC (LOC1991_TMC, 1991). Sharia (the 1983 September Laws) stayed suspended but was not abolished: northern politicians would not repeal it and southern leaders would not disarm without secularisation (LOC1991_GOV, 1991). The Mar 1986 Koka Dam Declaration with the SPLM called for a Sudan 'free from racism, tribalism, sectarianism' and repeal of sharia (LOC1991_TMC), and the 1986 Umma–DUP memorandum prioritised applying sharia to Muslims, Islamic banking and a new flag and emblem (LOC1991_SADIQ, 1991). Songs again played 'a major role' in the 1985 uprising, according to Al Jazeera (AJA_WARDI2019, 2019-08-21).

Economy

At the 1985 takeover the economy was 'in shambles': external debt about USD 9bn, most factories under 50% capacity, and agricultural output down 50% since 1960 [SINGLE-SOURCE: LOC1991_TMC]. The TMC refused IMF austerity, and in Feb 1986 the IMF declared Sudan bankrupt (LOC1991_TMC). Money-supply growth fed inflation, and the 1984–85 famine claimed an estimated 400,000–500,000 lives [SINGLE-SOURCE: LOC1991_TMC]. Sadiq al-Mahdi's first coalition failed to reach agreement with the IMF (LOC1991_SADIQ, 1991). An economic recovery programme began in Aug 1987, followed from Oct 1988 by a three-year programme to reform trade and the exchange rate, cut the deficit and subsidies, and encourage exports and privatisation (LOC1991_ECONDEV, 1991). The SPLA shut down Chevron's oil work and stopped the Jonglei Canal, and debt grew faster than Sudan could service it (LOC1991_ECON, 1991).

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: debt ~USD 9bn, famine 400–500k deaths, output figures (all LOC1991_TMC)
• Most claims rest on the 1991 LOC Country Study; a second economic source (e.g. IMF archives) not yet found

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 Transitional Military Council' 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) – 'Sadiq al Mahdi' 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) – 'Government' 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) – 'Media' link [en]
9. صفاء علي، الجزيرة نت (Al Jazeera Arabic) محمد وردي صوت السودان الثائر.. غنى للثورة حتى بعد مماته link [en]
10. Wikipedia contributors Sadiq al-Mahdi Wikipedia link [en]

Original era view · Era wiki