The Sadiq al Mahdi government, supported by a sizeable parliamentary majority, seeks to reduce regional disparities by organizing economic development.

Sadiq al Mahdi also plans to use his personal rapport with southern leaders to engineer a peace agreement with the insurgents.

He proposes to replace the Supreme Commission with a president and a southern vice president calling for approval of autonomy for the southern provinces.

The educated elite and segments of the army oppose Sadiq al Mahdi because of his gradualist approach to Sudan's political, economic, and social problems.

Leftist student organizations and the trade unions demand the creation of a socialist state.

Their resentment of Sadiq increases when he refuses to honor a Supreme Court ruling that overturns legislation banning the SCP and ousting communists elected to parliamentary seats.

In December 1966, a coup attempt by communists and a small army unit against the government fails.

Many communists and army personnel are subsequently arrested.