THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN 1896-1898 Belligerents : Great Britain—Egypt.
Arabs and Dervishes. Cause : The Soudan had fallen into the hands of rebellious tribes under the Mandi. In 1883 on Egyptian force under General Hicks had been defeated at El Obeid, and General Baker was also defeated in his attempt to relieve the Tokar garrison. The successes of a British force near Suakin were rendered useless by the refusal of the British Government to advance further. Early in 1884 it was decided to despatch General Gordon, who had an intimate knowledge of the country, to bring away Europeans from the Soudan. On arriving at Khartoum he was cut off from all communication with Egypt, Berber and the Bahr-el-Gazal province having fallen into the hands of the Mandi. The relief expedition was sent out too late to save him. Khartoum fell, and Gordon was killed on January 25, 1885. The whole of the Soudan remained under the rule of the Mandi for thirteen years. The British Government came to the conclusion that Egypt could never be considered permanently secure so long as a hostile Power was in occupation of Khartoum.
Occasion : After the Italian defeat at Adowah it was decided to create a diversion in Italian interests, and orders were given to occupy the province of Dongola. Rumours of the crumbling power of the Khalifa, who had succeeded the Mandi, strengthened the idea that it was a favourable opportunity to advance into the Soudan.
Course of the War : British and Egyptian troops under Kitchener oc cupied Dongola September 23, 1896. In 1897 desert railways were constructed, and Abu Hamed and Berber were wrested from the dervishes. In 1898 reinforcements of British troops were sent from Cairo. Omdurman, the stronghold of Mandism, was captured on September 2, 1898, and two days later Khartoum was occupied.
Political Result : By an agreement between the British and Egyptian Governments in January 1899, the Soudan was placed under their joint control, the Governor-General to be appointed by the Khedive on British recom mendation.
Remarks : The arrival of Major Marchand at Fashoda, in September 1898, where he hoisted the French flag, created a momentary excitement and talk of war, but the British Government adopted a firm attitude, and he received orders to withdraw.
No opposition to the Anglo-Egyptian agreement was encountered in Europe. The economic and agri cultural development of the Soudan has since progressed rapidly.
Nearly a million square miles were added to the territory under British rule.