Background:

Considering the Sudanese Civil War has been on-going since 1955 (and at the time of the interview), members of the FPA asked a key figure in Sudanese history; Ṣādiq al-Mahdī several questions on the issue of Southerners longing self-determination. Al-Mahdī,’ as a Northern Sudanese Muslim believes self-determination is not the answer to an end to the fighting, but argues for national unity.

Side B:

Ṣādiq al-Mahdī believes the way to go about ending the war is to implement Sharīʿah in a so-called civil democratic state. He wishes not to establish an Islamic state, but a state in which Sharīʿah is the basis of the constitution, whereby Christians and Muslims have equal rights both in principle and in practice. He wishes not to use words like a “secular state” or an “Islamic state” as he believes that the wrong use of words can even spark tension again. He further argues that Sharīʿah should be of good use to the Christians as well, as it is not merely based on religion, but also refers to morality and politics.

Moreover, al-Mahdī is asked to reflect on his view points from when he was in power in 1986 compared to his viewpoints today, which are considerably different. While in 1986, he favoured a moderate Islamic state, it is now clear that he advocates a civil democratic state of Islamic assertion and national unity. The former prime minister believes Sharīʿah itself allows one to make decisions with as priority civilians. It is, therefore, not a matter of departing from Sharīʿah, when the government gives priority to national unity.

Furthermore, al-Mahdī argues against self-determination as national unity is feasible, provided that the voices of the Southerners are heard. He believes that the separation phenomenon has a lot of problems, whereby intertribal wars may be a consequence of the separation. This phenomenon may end the war between the North and the South, but may start an entire, new and never-ending war between tribes. Additionally, due to the 1.8 million Southerners who have been displaced and/or are situated in the North, the idea of separation may lead to another identity crisis for the Southerners or issues of repatriating. It is, therefore, desired that national unity be established. al-Mahdī justifies his argument by mentioning the many Southerners who have actually integrated into the North working in construction. He advocates that the fact that so many Southerners have fled to the North rather than to neighbouring countries is an indication of a desire for national unity from the Southerners as well. The issues that the Southerners have with Northern authorities, does therefore not extend to Northerners as a demographic.