Sovereignty and imperialism: International business, finance and the position of Sudan in the British empire

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between Sudan and Egypt during the colonial period to explore how control over international business and finance integrated Sudan within the British empire. We examine how the locus of power and control over these economic factors began to change, and how this altered the position of Sudan. To do this we explore three areas. First, we examine how the field of international relations has considered the question of sovereignty. We use this to problematise how imperial relationships influence notions of sovereignty in the context of a colonial state. Secondly, we examine the business history of Sudan in relation to the structure of the Sudanese economy. Third, we explore how finance shaped the relationship between Sudan and the British empire. Finally, we discuss the implications of the business and financial history of Sudan in relation to the historiography of imperialism and coloniality in the MENA region.