Anti-Imperialist Front

Hassan at-Taheer Zarouq was the president of the Anti-Imperialist Front, Abdel Rahman Abdel Rahim was its general secretary. Both were teachers by profession. ==Profile==

The membership of the Anti-Imperialist Front included both communist cadres and unaffiliated sympathizers. The Anti-Imperialist Front advocated for independence for Sudan, opposed a union with Egypt and called for guarantees for democratic rights such as freedom of expression and organization. By raising democratic demands through the Anti-Imperialist Front the Sudanese communists were able to win sympathies amongst non-communist professionals, particularly journalists. The organization also ran evening schools for adults. ==Press organ==

The Anti-Imperialist Front published the twice-weekly newspaper al-Midan ('The Forum'). Hassan at-Taheer Zarouq served as the editor of the newspaper. ==1953 election==

The Anti-Imperialist Front won one seat in the 1953 election (held by Hassan at-Taheer Zarouq). Hassan at-Taheer Zarouq was a schoolteacher, who had been dismissed due to his political activism. He was elected from the Graduates' Constituency. As a Member of Parliament, Hassan at-Taheer Zarouq was a vocal critic of Ismail al-Azhari's National Unionist Party cabinet. ==Struggle against the al-Azhari government==

In early 1955 the Anti-Imperialist Front joined the Independence Front (a coalition of opponents to az-Zahari, including the Umma Party). Through the participation of the Anti-Imperialist Front, the Independence Front gained more influence in urban areas as workers' and students' movements became active in the Independence Front. The Anti-Imperialist Front broke away from the Independence Front in September 1955. In November 1955 the Independence Front tried to oust al-Azhari through a vote in the House of Representatives. The Anti-Imperialist Front refused to support this action, and Hassan at-Taheer Zarouq abstained from voting. The Anti-Imperialist Front explained its position that it struggled for principles, rather against any particular individuals. Instead, the Anti-Imperialist Front called for a national unity government. This move alienated the Anti-Imperialist Front from both the government and the other opposition forces. When the al-Azhari cabinet was followed by the government of Abdallah Khalil, the Anti-Imperialist Front retained its oppositional stance. Again, the Anti-Imperialist Front sought to build a broad, national front. However, such a front did not materialize as the People's Democratic Party (whom the communists had identified as a potential key partner) aligned with the Umma Party instead. ==Suez Crisis==

During the 1956 Suez Crisis, the Anti-Imperialist Front sent volunteers to help the Egyptian side (including its General Secretary). As Gamal Abdul Nasser emerged as an anti-imperialist leader, the Anti-Imperialist Front reversed its previous opposition to Egyptian-Sudanese unity. In February 1957 the Anti-Imperialist Front and the Sudanese Workers' Trade Union Federation began campaigning against the introduction of a U.S. aid programme. ==1958 election==

Ahead of the February 1958 elections, the Anti-Imperialist Front joined hands with the Federal Party (based in southern Sudan). The Anti-Imperialist Front raised demands for a federal Sudanese state, which would recognize both Islam and Christianity as official religions and where both Arabic and English would be official languages. The Anti-Imperialist Front, contesting the 1958 election, failed to win any seats. ==1958 coup==

Following the 1958 coup d'état, the Anti-Imperialist Front was dissolved. ==References==