Abdel Rahman Swar al-Dahab

Abdel Rahman Suwar al-Dahab (otherwise known as Suwar al-Dahab or al-Dahab; 1934 – 18 October 2018) (Arabic: عبد الرحمن سوار الذهب) was a Sudanese military officer who served as the Head of State of Sudan from 6 April 1985, to 6 May 1986.

Abdel Rahman Suwar al-Dahab
عبد الرحمن سوار الذهب
Suwar al-Dahab in the 1980s
Chairman of the Transitional Military Council
In office
6 April 1985 – 6 May 1986
DeputyTaj el-Deen Abdallah Fadl
Preceded byGaafar Nimeiry as President
Succeeded byAhmad al-Mirghani as Chairman of the Supreme Council
Minister of Defence
In office
3 March 1985 – 22 April 1985
Preceded byGaafar Nimeiry
Succeeded byOthman Abdullah Muhammad
Personal details
Born1934 (1934)
Omdurman, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
Died18 October 2018(2018-10-18) (aged 83–84)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Political partyNone (military)
Military service
Branch/service Sudanese Army
Years of service1958–1986
Rank Field marshal
Battles/warsFirst Sudanese Civil War
Second Sudanese Civil War

His full name has also been listed by the Sudanese Ministry of Defence as Abdul Rahman Muhammad Hassan Swar Al Thahab.[1]

Biography

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Suwar-Eldahab was born in 1934 in Omdurman, Sudan.[2][3] He graduated from the Sudanese Military Academy, later attending military education courses in the United Kingdom, the United States, Egypt, and Jordan. He became a prominent figure when President Gaafar Nimeiry appointed him Chief of Staff, and then Minister of Defence and general commander of the armed forces in 1984.[3]

In 1985, he launched a coup ousting President Gaafar Nimeiry[4] leading to him becoming the Chairman of the Transitional Military Council. Following elections, he surrendered power to the government of head of state Ahmed al-Mirghani and prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi in 1986.[5]

In 1987, he became Chairman of the Islamic Call Organization.[6][7]

In 2004, he received the King Faisal International Prize for his service to Islam. He died on 18 October 2018 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia of natural causes.[8]

In literature and the arts

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References

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  1. ^ mod.gov.sd archived link at Minister of Defence (Sudan).
  2. ^ "Index St-Sz". rulers.org. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  3. ^ a b Biel, Melha Rout (2008). Elite im Sudan: Bedeutung, Einfluss und Verantwortung (in German). Peter Lang. ISBN 9783631571156. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Sudan buries ex-president who imposed Islamic rule". Daily News Egypt. 31 May 2009. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
  5. ^ "Sudan army cedes power". Anchorage Daily News. 6 May 1986. p. 39.
  6. ^ "Al Dahab is Islamic Personality of the Year". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  7. ^ Chief, Habib Toumi, Bureau (18 October 2018). "Former Sudan president Al Dahab dies in Riyadh". GulfNews. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Ex-Sudan president Al-Dahab dies age 83". Middle East Monitor. 18 October 2018. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.