Libya-Sudan relations (1969-1989)

Abstract

          Most historical studies indicate that the relations between Libya and Sudan started from the Roman era before the Arabs reach North Africa. Commercial caravans across the Sahara played a prominent role in the development of relations between the two countries.
          Relations between the Sudan and Libya were weak in the post-independence period during the period of the former monarchy، which lived in total isolation from the Arab and African world despite the ties of geographical proximity، Arabism and Islam until 1969، when two military regimes collapsed in both countries. There was a great rapprochement between the two new regimes ، influenced by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser، and his Arab nationalism strategy، which brought  broad hopes based on the integration of three elements، the Egyptian labor، the Sudanese land and resources and the Libyan capital.
         The relations between the two countries then fluctuated، and unity failed due to the contradiction of the policies of the two countries leading to total deterioration represented in the armed conflict or the support of each state to the opposition of the other state. President Nimeiri accused Gaddafi of being behind the July 1976 coup "mercenaries”.  Then they meet to try to agree together again in Tripoli، January 1978، where relations  were re-established and reached the peak of its development after the popular uprising and the  democracy stage in Sudan، and while the political relations between the two countries was  swing and fluctuating، the  cultural and religious relations – on the other hand-  continued to  be stronger and stronger as the relations between peoples stands as a strong barrier against political deviations directed against individual and international interests . The near future will witness a great and successful shift in relations between the two countries in all political، social and economic fields after the removal of all obstacles that were standing in the path of integration between the two countries.