SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SUDANESE ELECTIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200040005-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 1998
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: December 3, 1953
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved. For Release 2009 M NSC BRIEFING 3 December 1953
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SUDANESE ELECTIONS
Decisive victory of pro-Egyptian National
Unionist Party, which won 54 out of 97 seats in
first but major phase of move toward Sudanese
self-government, is strong slap at British
administration rather than wholehearted
endorsement of union with Egypt. It creates a
new problem for Sudan and may complicate settle-
ment of Suez issue.
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B. Umma Party in past has generally
cooperated with British. It only won 22
seats out of 97.
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C. Umma claimed before election
that it controlled 70 percent of the
population of black South. Its leaders
now call fraud and threaten boycott.
Election under international Election
Commission reasonably honest.
D. Clear, however, that Umma failed
to measure up to pre-election hopes
because it is tarred with collaboration
with British.
E. Anti-British sentiment appears to
have been determining factor in surprise
vote which ran up to about 50 percent of
eligible electorate.
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II. Egypt's Position
A. Vote, which is loudly hailed in
Cairo, not really pro-union but anti-
British.
B. Egypt actually created National
Unity Party in October 1952 out of five
smaller Sudanese parties. Gave direct
moral and financial support, latter
aspect fairly well hidden.
C. Egyptian leaders frequently
visited Sudan before elections. General
Nagib, half Sudanese, is locally popular.
A. Sudanese leaders given junket
tours to Cairo.
E. Egypt may be expected to intensify
various efforts in Sudan, especially theme
of British colonialism and imperialism.
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F. Egypt, however, can offer little
to Sudan.
1. Egyptian administrators
generally bad.
2. Egypt and Sudan compete for
long-fiber cotton markets of world.
3. Any Egyptian use of Sudan as
population outlet would result in
strong Sudanese opposition.
III. Developments Anticipated Inside Sudan
A. Sudan faces complex problems
inherent in premature self-government:
1. Over 98 percent population
illiterate.
2. Almost no administrative or
political experience.
3.. Basic division of country
between Arabic-speaking Moslems of
North and primitive non-Moslem black
tribes of South.
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B. Parliamentary problems:
1. Newly formed coalition gives
no promise of furnishing needed
leadership.
2. Intraparty quarrels and
breakup distinct possibility.
3. Deep-seated political and
religious antagonism between All
Mirghani, top fugure in National
Unionist Party, and Mahdi, head of
Umma Party, likely to create serious
friction and flare-up in public dis-
order.
4. Newly elected parliament
certain to face hectic and confused
situation.
C. Heavy Egyptian propaganda on
imperialism dangerous and unknown factor.
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IV. Possible Impact on Suez Dispute
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B. Egyptian Position
1. Egypt, under Nagib's inspira-
tion, has publicly stated it is ready
to proceed to Suez settlement. At
present might possibly make some
concession.
2. Unyielding British attitude
will quickly result in tough Egyptian
reaction bolstered by sense of victory
in Sudan.
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