Sudan Independence Day is observed on January 1. It is observed annually to commemorate the nation’s independence from Great Britain. Sudan is the African continent’s third-largest country. Sudan is both an Arab and an African country. The country is surrounded by the Red Sea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad, Libya, and Egypt. Natural resources, arable land, a young workforce, and agriculture abound in the country. Until 1956, the country was ruled by the British and Egypt. As prime minister on January 9, 1954, Ismail al-Azhari was in charge of forming a government. Sudan gained formal independence from Britain and Egypt on January 1, 1956. Let’s get to know more about Independence Day of Sudan in this article.
History Behind Independence of Sudan
Sudan is a country in northeastern Africa. Northern Sudan is another name for it. The country’s official name is “the Republic of Sudan“. Sudan was a member of the Arab League. Until the secession of South Sudan in 2011, it was the largest country by area in Africa and the Arab League.
The region’s history dates back to prehistoric times. In 8000 B.C., it was occupied by Neolithic culture people. Following this period was a period of migration from the Sahara. They worked in agriculture, fishing, hunting, and herding cattle. There is evidence that they constructed cemeteries.
Throughout the centuries, various kingdoms rose and fell. Around 1500 A.D., the Islamic kingdoms were established. Sennar and Darfur were two of the most powerful kingdoms in the region at the time. Egypt, led by Ottoman ruler Muhammad Ali, had invaded the region by 1821.
By 1890, the British were attempting to gain control of Sudan. They competed for this with other European powers. Sudan was under the control of a British-Egyptian coalition by 1899. This went on until 1956. The referendum to decide Sudan’s fate resulted in the country’s independence on January 1. Several coups, civil wars, and separation occurred in the country.
All of this, however, does not dim the radiance of hard-won liberty. With its vast oil reserves, the country has the potential to recover with proper resource management and planning.
Timeline of Independence of Sudan:
| Time Period | Area | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8000 B.C. | The First Human Settlements | People from the Neolithic culture settle in what is now Sudan. |
| 1881 A.D. | The Great Revolt | The Sudanese people revolted against Ottoman-Egyptian rule. |
| 1899 | The Beginning of British-Egyptian Rule | Sudan is the first country under British-Egyptian rule. |
| 1956 | Independence | Sudan is finally free of British and Egyptian rule. |
Other Relevant Information Regarding Independence of Sudan:
- Many refugees fled to Sudan from neighboring countries such as Chad and Ethiopia.
- Adult employment in Sudan is 47.3 percent, according to nationmaster.com.
- According to the 2008 World Refugee Survey, Sudan had 310,500 refugees and asylum seekers in 2007.
- According to Slate.com, there are more pyramids in one small section of the northern Sudanese desert than there are in all of Egypt.
- Sudan has approximately 50,000 deaf people.
- Sudan is a net food importer.
- Sudan’s official name is the Republic of Sudan.
- In Arabic, the name “Sudan” means “land of the blacks.” It is derived from the Arabic bild as-sdn.
- On July 9, 2011, the Republic of Sudan became an independent state.
- Sudan was once South Africa’s largest and most geographically diverse state. However, in July 2011, it was divided into two countries. It is now Africa’s third largest country.