GAAFAR NIMEIRY

Gaafar Nimeiry emerged as one of Sudan’s most influential leaders, carving a complex legacy marked by radical shifts in political ideologies and reforms. Born in 1930, he pursued education at notable Sudanese institutions such as the Omdurman primary and elementary schools, Wad Madani secondary school, and the Hantub school, a colonial institution. Driven by an interest in the military, Nimeiry later attended the War College in Omdurman, graduating in 1952, and further honed his skills by obtaining a Master of Military Science from the Army Command and General Staff College in Kansas in 1966.

In his early military career, Nimeiry faced accusations of involvement in coup attempts, though insufficient evidence spared him formal charges. A notable episode occurred in 1966 when he was implicated but subsequently cleared in a failed Communist-led coup attempt. These events placed him at the center of Sudan’s turbulent military and political landscape. On May 25, 1969, Nimeiry, then a Colonel commanding the Khartoum Garrison, led a coup known as the "May Revolution" that overthrew the civilian government of Ismail al-Azhari. Following this, Nimeiry established the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) and swiftly restructured the political landscape by suspending the constitution, dissolving major government bodies, and disbanding political parties.

Taking on the role of Prime Minister in October 1969, Nimeiry pursued significant economic reforms, including the nationalization of banks and industries and implementing socialist and Pan-Arabist policies. However, his aggressive stance led to violent confrontations, such as the 1970 assault on Aba Island, targeting the Ansar, an opposition group associated with the Umma Party. In 1971, Nimeiry's rule was interrupted by a brief Communist coup, during which he narrowly escaped captivity. After his reinstatement, he pivoted away from Soviet alliances, forging closer ties with the United States and China. His 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement brought temporary peace by granting autonomy to Sudan’s southern region, effectively ending the First Sudanese Civil War and securing relative stability for over a decade.

During the mid-1970s, Nimeiry’s policies shifted towards moderate economic liberalization. Foreign investments were encouraged, and significant oil reserves were discovered by Chevron in 1979, setting the stage for economic growth. However, political tensions continued to mount, particularly with Islamist factions and regional leaders. Nimeiry sought to consolidate power by aligning with the Muslim Brotherhood, and in 1983, he initiated an "Islamic revolution," instituting Sharia law nationwide. This declaration alienated Sudan’s non-Muslim southern population, exacerbating tensions and triggering the Second Sudanese Civil War. The government’s austerity measures, combined with drought-induced famine in the 1980s, further heightened public discontent, fueling protests that culminated in Nimeiry’s overthrow in 1985. At the time of his ouster, he was visiting the United States in a bid to secure additional aid.

Exiled to Egypt after his fall, Nimeiry returned to Sudan in 1999, receiving a surprising welcome despite his divisive history. Though he unsuccessfully ran for president in 2000, Nimeiry remained a symbolic figure in Sudanese politics until his death in 2009 in Omdurman.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaafar_Nimeiry