POLITICAL CONTROVERSIES OVER THE SUDAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R000300650006-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 14, 1998
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: January 13, 1947
• Content Type: IR

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NTRAL INTELLIGENCE GROUP
'ELI-JG CE REPORT
COUNTRY ) pt
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DATE. 25X1 X6 25X1 X6
INF
SUBJECT Political Controversies
Over the Sudan
25X1A6a
slo(;';N t,'- 25X1X6
DIST. ' February, 1947
PAGES 1
SUPPLEMENT
Wu hies Firm Stand on Sudan t uestion
1., To avert the early downfall of his cabinet, Premier Nuarashi assumed a firm
:tend on the Sudan controversy during a Parlian ntary session on 31 December 1946
when he condemned the unfriendly attitude of Sir Hubert Huddl eston, Governo
General of the Sudan. This declaration prevented a concerted attack by the
apposition, at a time when the provocative statements of the Governor-.General
a,-id the hostile actions of Abd-al-Rahman al-Mahdi had inflamed Egyptian pub21c
opinion. By this moves Nngrashi gained the conditional support of Hafts
Ramadan i s National Party and Makram Ubayd 'a $utlah Party.
National Party Decision
2. The Administrative Board of the National Party met early in January under
the Presidency of Hafis Ramadan, and in the presence of Muhammad Zaki Ali$
Abdul Raman al-Rafi' i, Flkri Abaza and Abd-al-Azisz al-Sufani made several
decisions, including the intensification of boycotting, the ending of Anglo-
Egyptian negotiations and the observance of 19 January 1947 as a day for
general mourning.
3.
Action of the Opposition
With the exception of the Nafd, the opposition elements united under the
leadership of Hafiz Ramadan and lllakram 1Jbayd and prepared to present their
demands, which included:
(a)
The issuance of a Royal decree, terminating the services of
the Governor -General, in accordance with the terms of the 1899
Condominium.
(b) The summary disruption of the negotiations.
(c) The denunciation of the 1899 Condominium, as well as the 1936 Treaty.
Document No. b CLASSIFICATION SB~T__i OONTRDL U.S.OFFICIALS ONLY
NO CHANGE in Clas ^
^ DECLASSII'I.
Class. CHAN( TO: TS S
D Memo, 4 Apr 77
Extracted by FIR.
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25X1A2g
7.
4. Hatiz Ramadan, who was delegated to negotiate with Nuqrashi on
behalf of 1 akram Ubayd, All llahir, Abd-al-Rahman al-Raft'i,
Ilafiz Afifi and Riustafa Mahmud a1-Shurba , met Nugrashi
on 7 January 1947. Nugrashi expressed his readiness to comply
vd th the wishes of the people. Painting a black picture of the
Anglo-Egyptian negotiations, he declared that he had no choice but
to resign his post, or to continue in office if all the parties
were determined to support him in his difficult task. In this
case, he stated that he vas prepared for any sacrifices for
the welfare of the country. Ramadan, thereupon, reassured
liugrashi that he could rely on the support of the group
represented by the former, on the basis of the conditions set
forth by the opposition*
Expressing doubt as to the true intentions of Nuqrashi, and
suspecting another attempt at delaying tactics in compliance
with British wishes, All Mahir recommended a watchful policy,
pending fulfillment of the Premier's promises. Not satisfied
with the results of Ramadan's conversation with Nugrashi, Rafts
Af'ifi was delegated to meet the Premier to insure against a
violation of his ooaanitments. Nugrashi gave the same assurances
to Afifi, but declined a request to designate 19 January 1947
a day of mounting and general strike, in memory of the signing of
the Sudan Condominium in 1899. This incident renewed the strained
relations between the government and the opposition, and while
preparations were made to observe this date, Nugrashi issued
orders to suppress all demonstrations.
Faruq's Absence from t:a
6. Having been unsuccessful in his efforts to remedy the situation,
King Faruq was advised to take leave in Upper Egypt. His position
was believed to be growing more critical and a decision will soon
have to be made with respect to his stand in the controversy.
He is anxious to maintain friendly relations with the British
but is unable to stabilize the government, and the possibility of
new elections and the return of Mustafa al-Nahhas to power
continue to harass Faruq.
Public Reaction to Sudanese Question
Sections of the Egyptian public who are well. informed in public
affairs appear to have forgotten temporarily, about the negotiations
but are angrily condemning the declarations of Sir Hubert Huddleeton.
Nationalist political circles, in particular, resent the movement
of secession sponsored by Abd-a1-Rahman al-Mahdi, in agreement
with the British Government. lir. Attlee's confirmation of the
rights of the Sudanese to decide their on fate, the plans
for the expansion of the existing Administrative Council in the Sudan,
the prnrulgation of a law recognizing the "Sudanese nationality", and
the claiming of total independence for the Sudan are viewed in the
light of a premeditated plan to impose British will upon Egypt.
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? AL 1rt`~'EL,T!3N t ~ t tTP
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~t a Council of Ministers' testing on 2b December 1946,
Nuqrashi, aware of his delicate position, had consented
to request the British government to restrain the Governor.
Generl and the other British officials the supported his.
Revlew1ni the4 case of the Grand Cadi of the Sudan, Sheikh
Masan Matmasmmy trhoss contract ended on 2 January 1947,
the Egyptian Cabinet at later meetings directed Nuqrashi
to make representations, in an effort to keep this Egyptian
official in office for another term. The letter of the
Governor-General to Nugrashi, serving notice of the termination
of the services of the Sheikh, was introduced as evidence
of the true intentions of the British policy to evict the
remnants of Egyptian influence from the Sudan. Although
N?ugraehi stated that he had protested orally to Sir Ronald
Caripbei, the British Ambassador, the ministers insisted
on sending a written protest to London,
9. There was a disagreement as to the advisability of witih'awing
all of the remaining Egyptian officials who occupied senior
posts in the Sudan. It was then decided to advise these
officials not to cooperate with the Sudanese Administration,
but to receive their instructions directly from Cairo.
rugrashi was asked to prccure an official assurance from the
British government to the effect that Britain will not foster
the secession of the Sudan from Egtypte These deliberations
continued in the Senate and in Parliament but the prospects
Car a uniform Egyptian policy were marred by internal dissensions
Ttithin the leading government parties and between the Satdists and
the Liberal-Constitutionals. At recent meetings between Ronald
Gmpbefl and Nuqrashi, the British Ambassador urged the post-
ponement of the Sudan question, until all the other problems
ze proWtly settled.
Arab League Attitude
10. Discussing the subject of the Anglo-Egyptian negotiations on
many occasions, the League Council pronounced itself in support
of the Egyptian stand, inasmuch as the aim of the Arab League
Is to rests:re the rights of the Arab nations, helping them to
achieve their independence." The League also vaguely confirmed
the unity of the Nile Valley, because of the desire of the
inhabitants of the Valley to unite their destiny., under the
guidance of Egypt. Although the League's repeated statements
favoring the cause of Egypt appealed to theyptians, it
tailed to prescribe a method for achieving these alms.
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MONWAIR 11
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:; iah Harb s Statement
riy in Januarir, Rub mmad Salah Harb, President of the TlRiti
a -sued a statement, severely criticizing the British nation*
inarily such a declaration would have been ewppreseed, but
Nucrashi. a.3lovred its circulation in an effort at reconciliations
ooni an official note from the British authorities protested
,against this unfriendly act.
*Young men+a ioslem Association
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