The Sudan under Islamist rule

On 30 June 1989 a group of army officers seized power in Sudan and overthrew the democratically elected government headed by al‐Mahdi. The coup was engineered by the NIF, founded in 1985 by the Muslim Brothers. This article examines how the Muslim Brothers succeeded in penetrating the army and gaining a foothold within the officer corps, and attempts to explain why a political‐religious movement opted for a military takeover. The political and ideological basis of the NIF are examined, including its adamant insistence on an Islamic state. The Sudan presents a unique case study: its three major political parties are led by leaders of Muslim movements who all support the promulgation of an Islamic constitution leading to an Islamic state. Why could Sudan not agree on an Islamic agenda without resorting to a military coup?