IBRAHIM ABBOUD

Ibrahim Abboud, born on October 26, 1900, in Mohammed-Gol near the historical port city of Suakin on Sudan’s Red Sea coast, was a key figure in Sudanese military and political history. Educated at Gordon Memorial College and the Military College in Khartoum, Abboud trained as an engineer and began his military career by joining the Egyptian Army in 1918. In 1925, he transitioned to the newly formed Sudan Defence Force, marking the start of a distinguished military trajectory. During World War II, he served with the Sudan Defence Force in Ethiopia and Eritrea and alongside the British Army in North Africa, experiences that deepened his strategic acumen and led to his promotion through the ranks. By 1949, Abboud commanded the Sudan Defence Force, and by 1956, the year Sudan gained independence, he had ascended to the role of Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese military.

In November 1958, against a backdrop of political discontent and national instability, Abboud led a military coup, effectively ending the civilian government of Abdallah Khalil. The move, initially welcomed by many Sudanese as a step toward stability, allowed Abboud to implement swift reforms. Political parties were banned, the constitution was suspended, and a stringent administration replaced what was perceived as an inefficient and corrupt political system. Under Abboud’s rule, Sudan addressed economic challenges and foreign relations, particularly reaching an agreement with Egypt over the Nile waters. This was a vital diplomatic achievement that resolved frontier tensions and secured Egypt’s recognition of Sudan’s independence.

In 1961, Abboud launched an ambitious ten-year development plan aimed at diversifying Sudan’s economy and reducing its reliance on cotton exports. He sought to address citizens' demands for representation by establishing local councils to decentralize governance, a move designed to bridge rural and urban divides. His tenure was not without controversy, however, particularly in the non-Arab, non-Muslim southern regions of Sudan. Abboud’s policies promoting Arabization and Islamization sparked unrest, leading to a civil conflict between northern military forces and southern guerilla fighters. The situation escalated, with widespread violence, displacement, and eventual civil war as the government struggled to control the region.

In a final effort to address the southern conflict, Abboud convened a commission in August 1964 to study the issue, inviting public debate. However, the debates quickly turned into criticism of his administration, prompting demonstrations led by Khartoum University students. The government's suppression of these gatherings only intensified public unrest, sparking strikes and protests across the country. Rather than using force to retain power, Abboud chose to resign on October 26, 1964, allowing a provisional government under Sirr Al-Khatim Al-Khalifa to take over, thus ending Sudan’s first period of military rule.

Following his resignation, Abboud spent several years in Britain before returning to Sudan. He passed away on September 8, 1983, in Khartoum.

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