In July, 1977, President Nimeiri met with Ansar leader Sadiq al-Mahdi opening the way for reconciliation. Hundreds of political prisoners were released, and in Aug 1977 a general amnesty was announced for all opponents of Nimeiri's Govt.In sept. 1983, as part of Islamiciazation campaign, Presiden Nimeiri announced his decision to incorporate trditional Islamic punishments drawn from Sharia's (islamic law)into the penal code to be applied even to the non-Muslim. This created a great commotion to all irrspective of their religion. Specially Southerners and other non-muslim living in the north were also subjected to these punishments caused a great commotion. Ultimately it was kept abeyancesince 1972.
In Sep
t. 1984, president Nimeiri declared that the withdrawal of emergeny imposed him to suppress the insurgency.In 1985, massive demonstrations against the increase of food prices, shortage of foods and other reasons.
t. 1984, president Nimeiri declared that the withdrawal of emergeny imposed him to suppress the insurgency.In 1985, massive demonstrations against the increase of food prices, shortage of foods and other reasons.On April 6, 1986 senior Military officers , led by Gen. Suwar al-Dahab mounted a coup. A 15 member military council was named , chaired by Gen Suwar al-Dahab, called a conference of all parties. The council appointed an interim civilian cabinet headed by Prime Minister Dr. Al Gizouli Defalla.
Elections were held in April 1986, and the transitional military council tyrned over power to a civilian Govt. as promised. The Govt headed by Sadiq al-mahdiof the Umma party, consisted of a coalition of the Umma Party, DUP (formerly NUP), The national Islamic front and several southern parties.The coalition dissolved and reformed several times over the next few years , with Sadiq al-Mahdi and his Umma Party always in a central role.
