Sadiq al-Mahdi is a Sudanese political and religious figure who was Prime Minister of Sudan from 1966 to 1967 and again from 1986 to 1989.
Background
Sadiq al-Mahdi was born on December 25, 1935 in Al-Abasya, Omdurman, Sudan. He is the grandson of Sayyid Abd al-Rahman al-Mahdi, founder of the Umma party, and great-grandson of Mohamed Ahmed Al-Mahdi, the Sudanese sufi sheikh of the Samaniyya order and self-proclaimed Mahdi who led the Mahdist War to reclaim Sudan from Anglo-Egyptian rule.
Education
B.Sc Philosophy and Economics Oxford University
M.Sc. Politics Oxford University.
Career
Sadiq al-Mahdi was Prime Minister of Sudan on two occasions: first briefly in 1966-67, and second from 1986 until his ousting on 30 June 1989. First term as Prime Minister (1966-1967) Second term as Prime Minister (1986-1989) On June 30, 1989, his government was overthrown in a coup led by Colonel Omar al-Bashir. The post of Prime Minister of Sudan was then abolished.
1989 coup and afterwards Mahdi has continued to lead the Umma Party, in opposition to Bashir, since being ousted in the 30 June 1989 coup d'état led by Colonel Omar al'Bashir. He spent a period in exile but eventually returned to Sudan in November 2000. He ran unsuccessfully for the 2010 presidential elections, pledging not to hand Bashir to the International Criminal Court to faces charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, arguing that it would destabilise the country.
He is the author of a variety of scholarly and political books, including The Southern Question (1964). Speeches in Exile (1976). Questions on Mahadism (1979).
Legitimate Penalties and Their Position in the Islamic Social System (1987). Democracy in Sudan: Will Return and Triumph (1990). Challenges of the Nineties (1991).