The Sudan Handbook

islamism & thE statE 177

(15 in the north and 10 in the south). Further legislation was subsequently

issued to organize administration at the district and local levels and,

significantly, the reintroduction of Native Administration in rural areas.

In theory the federal system, local government and Native Administra-

tion reforms were advocated as measures to empower people, ensure

better and more direct participation, and improve delivery of services at

the local and regional levels. On closer examination, however, it seems

that the regime was more concerned with consolidation of its power than

serving public interest. To start with, most of the bodies and executives at

the state level continued to be appointed rather than elected (up until the

elections of 2010, state governors continued to be appointed by the presi-

dent). Furthermore, states on the whole suffered from lack of resources

and remained dependent on grants from the federal government and

whatever resources they could muster from taxes and other dues.

On the other hand, the regime seemed to have benefited from the

federal system in a number of ways. The system allowed the regime to

assert its control at all levels and – through decentralized organization of

the state organs and committed officials – enhanced the regime’s capacity

to defend itself against counter attacks which would most likely target

the centre of power in Khartoum. Additionally, the complex administra-

tive structure of the federal system enabled the inner circle of the ruling

elite to reward supporters, co-opt others and expand their patronage

networks. On another level, by reintroducing Native Administration, the

regime was trying to dismantle the constituencies of opposition parties

such as the Umma party of former Prime Minister al-Mahdi which had

maintained its stronghold in western Sudan during the last parliamen-

tary elections of 1986. Likewise, Native Administration reforms were

manipulated by the government and used as a vehicle to reward its allies

and supporters and to penalize adversaries.

Two developments in the economic field have had important implica-

tions on the evolution of the Islamist regime: these were the economic

liberalization and the drilling and export of oil. In 1992 the regime declared

and carried out a comprehensive policy of economic liberalization under

The Sudan Handbook, edited by John Ryle, Justin Willis, Suliman Baldo and Jok Madut Jok. © 2011 Rift Valley Institute and contributors which the national currency was floated, subsidies on essential goods

(www.riftvalley.net).