Zaraf English Books

This book presents the complete thesis submitted to the University of Leeds in 1993. It is being published now in light of the continuing crisis in Sudan. Although the analysis concludes in 1985, it remains deeply relevant to understanding the enduring challenges of the post-colonial Sudanese state. The study offers a detailed political economy analysis of that period, helping readers grasp the roots of developments that followed. At its core, the book views Sudan’s predicament as a general crisis of transformation. Within this framework, it argues for the need to change the rigid articulation of the country’s modes of production and reveals the interconnection between political and economic crises. It identifies the instability of the state as a crisis of hegemony, and explores class structure and class struggle as key components of this process. A major section focuses on the Nimeiri regime (1985 - 1973), providing one of the most comprehensive accounts of its political, economic, and social dimensions. The book exposes the authoritarian nature of the regime through its constitutional and institutional framework and analyses the specific economic crisis of the period within the broader national decline. To ground this analysis, the author retraces Sudan’s political economy from the colonial period, offering a fresh interpretation of the colonial state and economy. While other scholars such as Mahamoud (1984), Ali (1989), Niblock (1987, 1991), and O’Brien (1986) have explored similar themes, this work stands out for its comprehensive and original approach to the political economy of crisis in Sudan.

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