The South Sudan war of 1985 was a pivotal moment in the long history of Sudan, marking the end of one military regime and the beginning of a turbulent transition toward eventual independence. While often overshadowed by the later civil wars, the events of 1985 reshaped the political landscape and set the stage for decades of conflict. This period was characterized by widespread discontent, military coups, and a growing insurgency in the south.
Background: The Legacy of Nimeiri
To understand the war of 1985, one must look back at the policies of President Gaafar Nimeiri. Coming to power in 1969, Nimeiri initially pursued socialist policies and signed the Addis Ababa Agreement in 1972, which granted autonomy to the south and ended the First Sudanese Civil War. However, by the early 1980s, his regime grew increasingly authoritarian and economically strained. In 1983, Nimeiri declared all Sudan a single Islamic state under Sharia law, directly violating the 1972 peace accord. This decision ignited the Second Sudanese Civil War and created a power vacuum that led to his downfall.
The April 1985 Coup
On April 6, 1985, a bloodless coup d'état removed Nimeiri while he was on a trip to the United States. Led by military officers associated with the April 1984 uprising, the new Transitional Military Council, led by President Abdel Rahman Swar al-Dahab, promised to restore democracy and reverse Nimeiri’s divisive policies. The coup was largely welcomed by the Sudanese population, who were suffering under economic hardship and political repression. However, the military council struggled to manage the escalating conflict in the south and the growing demands for political freedom.
Military Insurgency and Southern Resistance While the north focused on political transition, the southern insurgency gained momentum. The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), led by John Garang de Mabior, was actively fighting government forces. The SPLA did not recognize the new military regime, viewing it as another iteration of northern Arab domination. The war in the south intensified throughout 1985, with battles raging across regions like Upper Nile, Equatoria, and Bahr el Ghazal. Humanitarian crises began to emerge as villages were caught in the crossfire. Increased SPLA recruitment following the Khartoum regime's hardline stance. Government counter-insurgency campaigns displacing rural populations. International attention growing as reports of human rights violations surfaced. International Diplomacy and Pressure
While the north focused on political transition, the southern insurgency gained momentum. The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), led by John Garang de Mabior, was actively fighting government forces. The SPLA did not recognize the new military regime, viewing it as another iteration of northern Arab domination. The war in the south intensified throughout 1985, with battles raging across regions like Upper Nile, Equatoria, and Bahr el Ghazal. Humanitarian crises began to emerge as villages were caught in the crossfire.
Increased SPLA recruitment following the Khartoum regime's hardline stance.
Government counter-insurgency campaigns displacing rural populations.
International attention growing as reports of human rights violations surfaced.
The conflict in Sudan during 1985 attracted significant attention from regional and international actors. Neighboring countries, particularly Ethiopia and Uganda, supported the SPLA either directly or indirectly, seeing Sudan as a threat to regional stability. The United States and European nations criticized the military council for human rights abuses and delayed democratic reforms. This external pressure influenced the political calculations in Khartoum, contributing to the eventual decision to hold elections.
The 1986 Elections and Aftermath
In 1986, Sudan held its first democratic elections in over a decade. The military council handed over power to a civilian government led by Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi. However, this fragile democracy failed to address the root causes of the conflict. The new government continued military operations in the south, and infighting among political factions weakened the state. The seeds of instability planted during this period would lead to the outbreak of full-scale war in the late 1980s and the eventual separation of South Sudan in 2011.
