Imperialism and Neo-Mahdism in the Sudan: A Study of British Policy towards Neo-Mahdism, 1924-1927

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Periodical article

Title:	Imperialism and Neo-Mahdism in the Sudan: A Study of British Policy towards Neo-Mahdism, 1924-1927
Author:	Ibrahim, Hassan Ahmed.
Year:	1980
Periodical:	International Journal of African Historical Studies
Volume:	13
Issue:	2
Pages:	214-239
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Sudan Great Britain
Subjects:	Mahdis colonialism Religion and Witchcraft History and Exploration Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/218874
Abstract:	The British Foreign Office recognised the existence of two schools of thought towards neo-Mahdism in the Sudan: the conciliatory school of C.A. Willis (director of British intelligence), later supported by Sir Geoffrey Francis Archer (governor-general of the Sudan, 1925-1926), and that represented by MacMichael (de facto civil secretary since 1919) and Davies (de facto director of intelligence since 1925) which persistently argued that 'Abd al-Rahman, the undisputed leader of the Mahdists, had been spoiled by Willis's leniency. Nevertheless, until 1926 the British government felt no real anxiety about the subject and tried not to take sides in this conflict. After 1926, however, and particularly after the downfall of Archer and Willis, the British government became increasingly concerned about the rising potential danger of neo-Mahdism and agreed with the hardliners in blaming Willis and Archer. Notes.