Conflict between Libya and Sudan

Conflict between Libya and Sudan has occurred intermittently since relations between the two countries began to deteriorate in 1972.

Between 1967 and 1971 Libyan-Sudanese relations had been based on a positive foreign policy relationship with both nations favoring solidarity with other Arab countries.

However, during the early 1970s President Gaafar Nimeiry of Sudan began to pursue a foreign policy strategy which aligned Sudan with Western powers.

Sudan’s western focused policy differed greatly from Libyan interests.

This new Sudanese national interest would weaken relations between Sudan and Libya throughout the 1970s.

Under Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi Libya continued to pursue foreign policy directed along ideological and pragmatic lines, favoring Arab solidarity.

This resulted in several instances of conflict between the two nations between 1972 and 1976.

In 1976 Sudan charged that Libya was involved in a terrorist plot against its government.

This led to a severance of relations between the nations.

In the late 1970s and 1980s Sudanese and Libyan foreign policy clashed over several regional conflicts.

These included the Chadian-Libyan conflict , the Libya-Egypt conflict and Libyan support for Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.

In these cases Libya’s conflict with Sudan resulted from Gaddafi’s regional goals of pan-Arabism and was heavily influenced by relations with Egypt.

The Chad-Libyan conflict in particular influenced the foreign policy of several African countries towards Libya.

Pro-Libyan supporters were set against an anti-Libyan side which included Sudan and Egypt.

Some sub-Saharan countries such as Sudan and Zaire supported the anti-Libyan forces in Chad out of fear of a Libyan expansion.

In 1986 Libya assisted the Mahdi government under Omar al-Bashir to assume power in Sudan, resuming relations between the two nations.

After this point both nations employed markedly different foreign policy strategies.

Sudan adopted a non-aligned course, trying to obtain western aid while building better relationships with Arab states.

This included cooperative ties with Libya.

Libya began to pursue stronger regional connections, with Gaddafi attempting to increase his influence in the African continent .

This changed the nature of relations between the two nations.

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