Sudan's Independence: From Anglo-Egyptian Condominium, 1956

Sudan gained independence on January 1, 1956—not from Britain alone, but from the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium (joint British-Egyptian administration established 1899).

Path to Sovereignty

• 1899: Condominium Agreement — Britain held real power; Egypt nominal sovereignty.
• 1952: Egyptian Revolution → Egypt pushed for Sudanese self-determination.
• 1953: Anglo-Egyptian Agreement → self-government, path to independence.
• 1954: First parliamentary election (Ismail al-Azhari's NUP wins).
• 1955: Parliament votes unanimously for independence.
• 1 Jan 1956: Flag raised in Khartoum; Azhari becomes first PM.

Why "Not Just Britain"?

The Condominium was unique—legally, Sudan was Egyptian territory under British administration. Independence required both parties' consent. Egypt's 1952 revolutionary government was pivotal in ending the arrangement.