ChRonoloGy 317Sudan’s complete independence. Sectarian divisions in the
Graduates’ Congress lead to its disintegration.
1946 Negotiations between Egypt and Britain over the revision
of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936, break down over
Egyptian assertion of sovereignty over Sudan; the
Governor-General forms an Administration Conference
tasked with recommending how Sudanese could play a
more significant role in the administration of the country.
1947 The first report of the Administration Conference
recommends the creation of a legislative assembly to
represent the whole country, including the south. At the
Juba Conference, seventeen southern and three northern
representatives agree to send representatives to the
legislative assembly of a united Sudan.
1948 Elections for the first Legislative Assembly are held; pro-
Egyptian groups boycott it and the Umma Party wins an
overwhelming majority of the seats.
1950 The Umma majority force a resolution through the
Assembly calling for self-government by the end of 1951.
1951 Anglo-Egyptian relations deteriorate. Egypt abrogates the
Anglo-Egyptian treaties of 1899 and 1936 and presents a
new constitution for Sudan declaring a unified Egypt and
Sudan. The government and all Sudanese parties, except
the Ashiqqa, reject outright the new constitution. Britain
accelerates constitutional steps to self-government in
Sudan.
1952 The Free Officers’ coup, led by General Muhammad
Neguib, overthrows King Farouq in Egypt and renounces
claim to sovereignty over Sudan. Pro-Egyptian Sudanese
groups join a united National Unionist Party led by Ismail
al-Azhari.
1953 In January, Egypt signs an agreement with all Sudanese
parties for self-determination within three years.
Britains sign a new Anglo-Egyptian agreement a month
later stipulating a three-year transition period to self-
determination and a plebiscite to choose between full
independence or union with Egypt. The NUP wins a
landslide victory in national elections held in November.
The Sudan Handbook, edited by John Ryle, Justin Willis, Suliman Baldo and Jok Madut Jok. © 2011 Rift Valley Institute and contributors
(www.riftvalley.net).