Political activity under British rule Abd al-Rahman al-Mahdi

king farouk of egypt (1948)

the british had ceded power in egypt anglo-egyptian treaty of 1922 , more in anglo-egyptian treaty of 1936. 1936 treaty designed counter benito mussolini s ambition link libya ethiopia via sudan in new italian empire. treaty recognized egyptian claims of sovereignty in sudan in return british rights in nile valley , suez canal. allowed unrestricted immigration of egyptians sudan , return of egyptian troops. sudanese not consulted.

in 1937 abd al-rahman visited england , egypt, met high-ranking officials , king farouk. purpose present sudanese criticism of anglo-egyptian treaty in person. openly critical of egyptian plans unity of nile valley, considered unrealistic. in may 1937, eldest son al-siddiq al-mahdi visited egypt , given royal reception. these moves concerned british, saw them potentially start of mahdist alliance egypt, despite abd al-rahman s avowed sudanese nationalism.

in period before second world war (1939–1945) british wanted reduce growth of egyptian influence in sudan, had become more result of 1936 treaty, while suppressing ultra-nationalist neo-mahdist movement. gave support sayyid ali al-mirghani of khatmiyyah sect counterpoise sayyid abd al-rahman. sayyid abd al-rahman responded telling british sayyid ali al-mirghani pro-italian due family commitments in eritrea, not accepted british.

the government had promulgated powers of nomad shiekhs ordinance in 1922, , had recognized , reinforced judicial powers of on 300 tribal leaders 1923. had ignored aspirations of educated sudanese in government employment take greater role in administration. principle of indirect rule had given sayyids, including abd al-rahman, more power prevent changes demanded secular opposition. in shift of policy, graduates general congress launched in 1938 forum intelligentsia of sudan express opinions , alternative voice of tribal leaders, had become discredited.

in august , september 1940 congress became split between ansar , khatmiyya supporters. @ first ansar dominant, lost position end of 1942. many of abd al-rahman s supporters saw him source of financial backing , admired advocacy of independent sudan, did not follow him religious leader , not members of ansar movement. end of 1942 government had decided congress had no political value. mahdists had split rival camps, other factions had emerged, , attendees @ annual meeting of congress included artisans, merchants , illiterates.

in may 1944 government created central advisory council, full backing of sayyid abd al-rahman. majority of council members ansar or tribal leaders.

many educated sudanese suspicious of council , drifted towards khatmiyya side in 1944 elections, not religious reasons because hostile government, wanted retain links egypt counterpoise british influence , did not want monarchy under sayyid abd al-rahman.