Islam, Nationalism and Communism in a Traditional Society by Gabriel Warburg

Author:Gabriel Warburg [Warburg, Gabriel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Middle East, General, Social Science, Regional Studies
ISBN: 9781135164782
Google: FKhlAgAAQBAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2013-12-19T01:21:28+00:00

THE FAILURE OF THE JULY 1971 COUP AND NUMEIRI’S RESUMPTION OF POWER

Major Hāshim al-‘Aṭā’ acted before Numeiri’s orders to arrest him had been executed, and on the morning of 19 July 1971, he and his collaborators managed to capture the presidential palace and to put Numeiri and his colleagues under arrest. 113 In his first decree, al-‘Aṭā’ declared the Sudan an independent democratic republic and announced the abrogation of the laws promulgated by Numeiri’s régime and the dissolution of the organisations it had established. The programme of the new régime included the establishment of a ‘democratic political system’ based on mass participation, in which all popular organisations would be represented; regional autonomy would be granted to the South; an ‘industrial and agricultural revolution’ would take place and ‘pursue a non-capital path for development, which approaches the horizon of socialism’. In the sphere of international relations the programme advocated support of the Palestinian cause and of national liberation movements and a struggle against colonialism and neo-colonialism together with the third world and with the friendly socialist countries headed by the Soviet Union.114

Of the three leaders of the coup, only al-‘Aṭā’ was in the Sudan on 19 July. His two colleagues, Bābikr al-Nūr ‘Uthmān and Fārūq ‘Uthmān Ḥamdallāh, were at the time in London which tends to prove that the coup was executed in a hurry – probably as a result of Numeiri’s actions. The three leaders were among the founders of the ‘Free Officers’ movement and had served both on the RCC and in the government until they were ousted in Numeiri’s anti-communist purge in November 1970. Their communist leanings in the past were well known and freely admitted but it is questionable whether they retained their loyalty to the party and followed the dictates of its leadership in later years. However, it is beyond doubt that following the coup, al-‘Aṭā’ approached the SCP to help him draft the policies of the new régime and organise the popular support it needed. But despite the aid of the SCP, the trade unions, the students and other professional associations, the new régime did not survive for more than seventy-two hours.

This was probably the result of lack of preparation of the coup which in turn led to some fatal mistakes in its execution. First, while al-‘Aṭā’ had gained the support of the troops in the capital, he neglected to induce those in the provinces to come to his side. Second, the two other leaders of the coup were arrested by the Libyans when the latter intercepted the BOAC aircraft which carried them back to Khartoum. Thus, al-‘Aṭā’ was left to deal with the situation single-handed.115 Third, the pronounced pro-communist views of the new régime were bound to arouse suspicions and fear among many Sudanese, including the army. Last, al-‘Aṭā’ did not fully realise that despite his promises of continued friendship with Egypt, President Sādāt would not be pleased with the deposal of Numeiri and instead do his utmost to help him regain power. In fact Sādāt acted wisely.

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