The traditional leaders in Sudan are the…

1924 CE to 1935 CE

The traditional leaders in Sudan are the sheikhs (of villages, tribes, and districts) in the north and tribal chiefs in the south.

The British first delegate judicial powers to sheikhs to enable them to settle local disputes; then, gradually, they allow the sheikhs to administer local government under the supervision of British district commissioners.

The number of Sudanese recognizing these leaders and the degree of authority they wield varies considerably.

The mainstream of political development, represented by other local leaders and Khartoum's educated elite, disapproves of indirect rule.

In their view, it prevents the country's unification, exacerbates tribalism in the north, and in the south serves to buttress a less-advanced society against Arab influence.

Indirect rule also implies government decentralization, which alarms the educated elite who have careers in the central administration and envision an eventual transfer of power from British colonial authorities to their class.

Nationalists and the Khatmiyyah oppose  indirect rule, but the Ansar (or followers of the Mahdi) support the British approach since many of them enjoy positions of local authority.

Locations
Khartoum > Al-Khartum Al-Khartum Sudan View →

Groups
Dinka people View → Nuer people View → Arab people View → Fur people (Nilo-Saharan tribe) View → Britain (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland) View → Sudan, Anglo-Egyptian View → Egypt, Kingdom of (British Protectorate) View → Britain (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) View →

Subjects
Government View → Custom and Law View →

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