100 Years Since Founding Of The Sudanese Army And 71 Years To Its Sudanization

Port Sudan (Sudanow) History of military service in Sudan is as old as the Kushite civilizations that inhabited this land. Military service was and still is an unmatched honor, and it was the primary reason for the loftiness of its civilization, such as the towering Jabal al-Barak. It is also a profession as old as the pyramids of Meroe and monuments of al-Bajrawiya, and it is firmly established. That is why the country celebrates Sudanese Army Day every year on August 14, which coincides with the anniversary of the first Sudanese (Lieutenant General Mohamed Ahmed Hamad Al-Jaali) assuming command of the Sudanese army in 1954. But this year marks exactly 100 years since the establishment of the forces, as their establishment dates back to 1925, knowing that the Military School was established in 1905 in what was known as the acquittal of the Governor-General. Sudanow magazine interviewed His Excellency Major General Mahmoud Abdel Moneim, a strategic and academic expert in military colleges to enlighten about the past and present of the Sudanese army.

When was the modern Sudanese army established?
His Excellency Major General Maash Mahmoud Abdel Moneim Atta Al-Mannan, an expert in Sudanese army affairs, explained that beginning of establishing was in 1925, during the period of the British occupation to Egypt and Sudan, and consisted of a number of Sudanese soldiers under the command of officers from the occupying British army.
He added that after Sudan gained its independence in 1956, a new national army began to be formed, starting with an infantry division, then the naval and air forces were established, and it was known as the Sudanese Army, then the name was changed to“People's Armed Forces” before it was changed again to“Sudanese Armed Forces”.

Did the Sudanese army have foreign participation before independence?
The expert specializing in Sudanese army affairs Abdel Moneim said ''Yes, there are several out- country participations to Sudanese army that history preserves in its bright white pages), and pointed to the participation of Sudanese units within the Egyptian army in the wars of Muhammad Ali Pasha, the governor of Egypt and Sudan between 1854 and 1856, and he added The Ottoman Sultanate brought units of Sudanese fighters to participate in the Crimean War against the Russian Empire between 1853 and 1856.
The expert on Sudanese army affairs Abdel Moneim declared that the Sudanese forces participated in Mexico in 1862, when France, England, and Spain requested dispatch of a contingent of Sudanese to protect their citizens against Mexican gangs. During World War I, Britain sent during its colonization of Sudan two divisions of Sudanese soldiers to Djibouti at the request of France to replace Senegalese soldiers there. During World War II, the Sudanese Defense Forces participated against the Italians who were occupying Eritrea, when they tried to occupy the city of Kassala in the east of the country.
Sudanese forces also participated in the Western Desert Campaign to support the French, where they deployed in the Kufra Oasis and the Gallo Oasis in the Libyan Desert under the leadership of British Commander Archibald Wavell, and in El Alamein to stop the advance of German General Rommel, nicknamed (The Desert Fox).

What are the most prominent participations of the Sudanese army after independence?
His Excellency Major General Maash Mahmoud Abdel Moneim Atta Al-Mannan explained: (The Sudanese army participated in defending Kuwait in 1961 against Qasim Amin's threat to invade Kuwait within a number of Arab forces). As in 1976, 1977 and 1978, Sudanese forces participated in Lebanon during the civil war to maintain peace in Lebanese cities between combating factions.
The strategic expert and professor at military academies Abdel Moneim said: (It is known that the Sudanese army participated in all Arab wars against Israel) adding that the Sudanese Armed Forces participated in international operations aimed to maintain peace and stability, such as in the Belgian Congo in 1960, Chad in 1979, and Namibia in 1989. They also participated in the process of restoring civilian government in the Republic of the Comoros, where Sudanese paratroopers contributed to the recapture of Anjouan Island and its handover to the Comoros government in 2008.

What is the ranking of the Sudanese army today?
Major General Maash Mahmoud Abdel Moneim explained that the Sudanese army, according to the latest classification issued by the Global Firepower (GFP) website, which specializes in defense affairs, ranked its annual classification for the year 2025 as the strongest army in the world, which highlights the prominent changes in the balance of military power globally and in Africa, ranked the Sudanese army in ninth place in Africa and 73rd globally, achieving a strength index of 1.4756 points. The former air defense commander added that the classification showed significant progress for Sudan compared to 2023. It raised from tenth place in Africa and 75th in the world, despite the war imposed on him by the terrorist Al Dagalo militias and those behind them targeting to destroy unity of Sudan .
What does the celebration of the 71st Army Day represent for Sudan and 100 years since its founding?
The strategic expert said that celebrating Army Day under these circumstances embodies the true meaning of national unity and rallying around the Sudanese Armed Forces, and enhances the national spirit and belonging to the homeland. He added that the celebration reflects pride and honor in the Sudanese army's bright history and its sacrifices in protecting the homeland and defending its sovereignty. He stressed that the celebration embodies this national unity and rallying around the Sudanese Armed Forces, enhances the national spirit and belonging to the homeland, and is a constant reminder of the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces in order to protect the homeland and defend its lands.

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