The first test of Sudanese national reconciliation…
1977 CE
Nimeiry has authorized returning exiles who had been associated with the old Umma Party, the Democratic Unionist Party, and the Muslim Brotherhood to stand for election as independent candidates.
These independents win one hundred and forty of three hundred and four seats, leading many observers to applaud Nimeiry's efforts to democratize Sudan's political system.
However, the People's Assembly elections mark the beginning of further political decline.
The SSU's failure to sponsor official candidates weakens party discipline and prompts many assembly deputies who also ware SSU members to claim that the party has betrayed them.
As a result, an increasing number of assembly deputies use their offices to advance personal rather than national interests.
