Returning to Native Administration and Local Government

Dr. Faraj Al-Sheikh Al-Fazzari explores two systems that have proven their worth in Sudan: Local Government, with its various designations represented in directorates, provinces, and municipal and rural councils; and Native Administration, represented by Nazirates, mayors, and tribal sheikhs. I have always argued that the recent shock to Sudan's security and humanity due to this cursed war would have been far more catastrophic, cruel, and dangerous for the country had it not been for the existence of municipal and rural councils, despite all their well-known flaws—most notably the politicization they were subjected to during the Salvation regime, which continues to cast its shadow over the provision of services and the lack of equitable social distribution. I say this while the River Nile State in general, and Shendi and its surroundings in particular, celebrate these days the return of the Nazir of the Jaaliyin tribe, Mr. Salah Ibrahim Hajj Mohammed Al-Beih, to the country after a long period of living abroad. He returned having left behind all his personal interests to heed the call of the homeland and the invitation of his Jaaliyin kin, so he may exercise his natural right to succeed to the Nazirate, which he rightfully deserves. Mr. Salah Ibrahim is among the finest educated and cultured youth of the tribe, and one of the few who carries the burdens of the nation and fully understands what the Nazirate means and what Native Administration means in its modern concept. He has a vision and a forward-looking perspective for the development of the countryside, whose needs he knows precisely. As is known to most Sudanese, Native Administration, before its dissolution during the era of Jaafar Nimeiry, played an effective role in the stability of Sudan. It was a form of indirect rule established by the British administration in Sudan because it realized the difficulty of managing the country from Khartoum or the capitals of the directorates. Through Native Administration, administrative, security, and judicial powers were transferred from British regional governors to tribal leaders, Emirs, and Sultans. These leaders played a prominent, distinct, and influential role in maintaining security and order. To this end, the British administration worked to consolidate small tribes under the banner of a larger tribe led by strong leaders with effective authority. They cooperated and stood by one another, which gave Sudanese society a sense of national cohesion and interconnectedness, avoiding security breakdowns. The dissolution of Native Administration did not negate its role and existence in Sudan; it remains a reality in our daily lives in one form or another, and it was supposed to be utilized for its many distinct characteristics. Those who criticize Native Administration speak of ignorance and backwardness, especially regarding its first generation—and even some contemporaries—forgetting that many old-school Native Administration figures received respectable and even advanced education on par with their peers in other fields. Some graduated from the Military Academy, such as Nazir Abdullah Bakr and Nazir Hilmi Abu Sin, while others graduated from Gordon Memorial College, such as Nazir Al-Zubair Hamad Al-Malik, Mohammed Ramli Taifour, and Nazir Mohammed Sharif. The Nazir of the Jaaliyin, Ibrahim Hajj Mohammed, received a higher education as a graduate of the Faculty of Law at the Egyptian University, as did Abdullah Abu Sin, the agent of the Shukriya Nazir, while Mohammed Ahmed Abu Sin, the Nazir of the Shukriya, was a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine. Most other mayors and sheikhs completed their education in secondary schools and religious institutes. The British administration took great interest in educating the children of the Native Administration, viewing them as the future Native Administration officials, which helped develop this form of auxiliary government when many of these sons succeeded their fathers upon vacancies, making Native Administration roles hereditary or appointed to ensure tribal cohesion and respect for its leaders. In a future installment, I will conclude this article by discussing popular local government in Sudan and the role it played in preserving the unity of Sudan and providing public services in the darkest circumstances the country has experienced. Dr. Faraj Al-Sheikh Al-Fazzari. mahamedkamal86@yahoo.com The post Returning to Native Administration and Local Government appeared first on Sudanile.