320 thE sudan handbookSudan. Native Administration is formally abolished with
the introduction of the People’s Local Government Act.
1972 Addis Ababa Agreement signed, ending the first civil
war. The south becomes the semi-autonomous Southern
Region, with Juba as its capital. Diplomatic relations with
US resume.
1973 New Permanent Constitution enshrined creating executive
presidency with sweeping powers, incorporating regional
settlement in the south and new local government system.
The Islamic Legion, created a year earlier by Libyan leader
Muammar Gaddafi, begins operating in Darfur.
1974 French construction company signs contract to begin work
on the Jonglei Canal.
1975 Akobo Mutiny and emergence of ex-Anyanya forces
opposed to Addis Ababa Agreement. Following an
attempted military coup, Nimeiri further centralizes power
in his own hands.
1976 Mutiny of ex-Anyanya in Wau. Supporters of Sadiq al-
Mahdi, armed and trained in Libya, infiltrate Khartoum
aiming to attack Nimeiri at airport; southern troops play
significant role in defeating attempted coup.
1977 Nimeiri embarks on ‘National Reconciliation’, bringing
strongest northern opponents, Sadiq al-Mahdi and Hassan
al-Turabi, into government.
1978 Former Anyanya leader Joseph Lagu is elected president of
the Southern Regional Government.
1979 Chevron confirms the discovery of oil in Upper Nile and
southern Kordofan. Work begins on Jonglei Canal. Sudan
agrees to IMF loan terms.
1980 Nimeiri dissolves Southern Regional Assembly and calls
new elections; Abel Alier wins a second presidential term.
Hassan al-Turabi, then Attorney-General, fails to pressure
the National Assembly to redraw North–South border to
include southern oil fields in the north. Anyanya II, with
bases in Ethiopia, begins guerrilla operations in south.
Regional governments introduced throughout northern
Sudan.
The Sudan Handbook, edited by John Ryle, Justin Willis, Suliman Baldo and Jok Madut Jok. © 2011 Rift Valley Institute and contributors
(www.riftvalley.net).