Azerbaijani president congratulates Sudan on 70 years of independence

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has sent a message of congratulations to his Sudanese counterpart, Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Sudan’s independence.

In his message, President Aliyev expressed his sincerest congratulations to President Al-Burhan and the people of Sudan, wishing them peace and prosperity, Azertag reports.

"On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincerest congratulations and best wishes to you and your people on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of independence of the Republic of the Sudan," he wrote.

Aliyev expressed his belief that both countries will continue to make joint efforts to develop relations and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Sudan in a spirit of friendship and in line with the interests of their peoples.

"On such a remarkable day, I wish robust health, success in your endeavors, and your friendly people peace and prosperity," he stated.

Sudan celebrated its 70th anniversary of independence on January 1, 2026, marking seven decades since the country formally became a sovereign state on January 1, 1956. After decades under the Anglo‑Egyptian Condominium — a system of joint British and Egyptian administration — Sudanese leaders pushed for self‑rule amid rising nationalist sentiment in the mid‑20th century.

In late December 1955, the Sudanese parliament unanimously declared independence, and on January 1, 1956, both the British and Egyptian governments recognized Sudan as an independent republic, ending colonial rule. 

The early years of Sudan’s independence were marked by political challenges and the onset of internal conflict, particularly the First Sudanese Civil War, which began shortly before independence and would continue for years. 

Over the subsequent decades, Sudan’s political landscape has been shaped by coups, civil unrest, and efforts at democratic transition — reflecting the long‑standing complexities of nation‑building in Africa’s third‑largest country.

By Aghakazim Guliyev