Much of the scholarship on the Condominium period of Sudanese history has focused on the imperial role of Britain. Whether in directing local Sudanese development or representing Sudanese interests in the international arena, historians have justifiably portrayed Britain's domineering presence. However, the other "partner" in the administration established in 1899, Egypt, theoretically had an equal participatory role in the country and historical claims of sovereignty over the region. The official separation of Egypt and the Sudan in 1956 has frequently been attributed to the emergence of local Sudanese groupings that opposed Egyptian interference and were favorable to British guidance. This study has sought to examine underlying factors, specifically Egyptian-Sudanese economic developments, that influenced the eventual choice of independence.;In the second section of this study analysis shifts to determining the extent to which Egyptians obtained a return on their investments through examination of landholding opportunities and, especially, commercial activities. Although Egypt's emerging entrepreneurial class and official agencies were anxious to increase the exchange of goods along the Nile valley and their role in this activity, neither objective was achieved. Egyptian efforts to augment commercial relations with the Sudan were late in appearing and frustrated by Condominium administrative policies, foreign competition and Egypt's own overall economic goals during the interwar period. Both Egypt and the Sudan had followed a development path that included heavy dependence on international markets. The failure to create strong Egyptian-Sudanese ties during the interwar period and subsequent independence of the two countries were primarily due to an inability to overcome this well-established linkage to foreign economies.;The general focus of this work was Egyptian-Sudanese economic relations between 1918 and 1945. Ministerial and parliamentary records, publications of private organizations, and local newspapers and journals have been used to assess the extent of Egyptian interest and actual activity in the Sudan. The first broad category of Egyptian involvement examined was the variety of "investments" in Sudanese development. Financial commitments required of Egypt for increased Nile river utilization, the establishment of Sudanese infrastructure facilities and those associated with military and administrative personnel in the Sudan were a significant drain on the state's resources. Furthermore, agreements reached concerning these investments, such as those on debt repayment or apportioning new water resources, tended to imply a separation of Egypt and the Sudan.
展开▼
