Sudan's new military regime has benefited during its first year in office from the successful marketing of the cotton crop.

Ibrahim Abboud has also profited from the settlement of the Nile waters dispute with Egypt and the improvement of relations between the two countries.

Under the military regime, the influence of the Ansar and the Khatmiyyah has lessened.

The strongest religious leader, Abd ar Rahman al Mahdi, had died in early 1959. 

His son and successor, the elder Sadiq al Mahdi, fails to enjoy the respect accorded his father.

When Sadiq dies two years later, Ansar religious and political leadership will divide between his brother, Imam Al Hadi al Mahdi, and his son, the younger Sadiq al Mahdi.