The Role of Kurdish Politicians in Sudan (Osman Dqna) as an Example

Abstract

Kurdish History in Sudan has a long history spanning several historical periods. The earliest dates back to Saladin Ayyubid’s time, when his brother Turansha led a military force into Sudan to occupy the kingdom of Alawa, east of Khartoum. The Ottomans, during the reign of Sultan Salimi I, sent some Kurdish leaders and soldiers to conquer eastern Sudan, and they played a significant role in the occupation. During the reign of Mohammed Ali Pasha in Egypt and the conquest of Sudan, the Kurds again participated as military and intelligence personnel. Some of these soldiers and leaders remained in Sudan and became part of the social and political structure of Sudanese society. This study explores the history of Kurdish presence in Sudan, tracing back to the era of Saladin Ayyubid and the Ottoman Empire. The study examines the political participation of Kurds in Sudan and their roles in contemporary and modern Sudanese history. Using the chronological and analytical methodology, the study concludes that Kurds played a significant role in the resistance against British occupation in the late 19 th century, particularly in eastern Sudan regions. Kurdish military leader Osman Dqna led the Mahdi Movement and used guerrilla warfare techniques to defeat British forces, making him the first person in Africa to defeat the British military technique known as the English Square. The study highlights the important contributions of Kurdish families in the revolution against Britain in East Sudan.