The first President of Sudan, a military leader who seized power in a coup and ruled the country from 1958 to 1964, known for his authoritarian regime and attempts to modernize the country.
Ibrahim Abboud is best known for serving as the head of state of Sudan between 1958 and 1964, and as President of Sudan in 1964, marking the country's first period of military rule. He was a career soldier who played a significant role in shaping Sudan's history during its transition from colonial rule to independence.
Ibrahim Abboud was born on 26 October 1900 in MohammedGol, near the old port city of Suakin on the Red Sea. He trained as an engineer at the Gordon Memorial College and at the Military College in Khartoum.
Abboud received a commission in the Egyptian Army in 1918 and transferred to the Sudan Defence Force in 1925, after its creation separate from the Egyptian army. During World War II, he served in Eritrea, Ethiopia, and North Africa with the British Army.
After the war, Abboud commanded the Camel Corps and later rose to commander of the Sudan Defence Force in 1949 and assistant commander-in-chief in 1954. With Sudan's declaration of independence in 1956, he was made commander-in-chief of the Sudanese military forces.
In November 1958, the Sudanese army staged a coup d'état, overthrowing the civilian government of Abdallah Khalil. Gen. Abboud led the new military government, marking the beginning of Sudan's first period of military rule.
During his rule, Abboud implemented several policies aimed at modernizing Sudan's economy and infrastructure. He also played a key role in promoting Arab nationalism and unity in the region.
In 1964, Abboud resigned as President of Sudan, bringing an end to the country's first period of military rule. He died on 8 September 1983 at the age of 82.
Ibrahim Abboud's legacy is complex and multifaceted. While his rule was marked by authoritarianism and human rights abuses, he is also credited with modernizing Sudan's economy and promoting Arab nationalism in the region.
Ibrahim Abboud's life and legacy serve as a testament to the complex and often tumultuous history of Sudan, and his role in shaping the country's politics and economy continues to be felt to this day.
90 Years Old
Former Prime Minister of Sudan who led the country's government from 1966 to 1967 and again from 1986 to 1989, known for his efforts to reform the economy and promote national unity.