Ahmed al-Mirghani

Ahmed Ali al-Mirghani (Arabic: أحمد الميرغني; 16 August 1941 – 2 November 2008) was a Sudanese politician who served as the 6th President of Sudan from 1986 to 1989 when his government was overthrown by a military coup led by Omar al-Bashir.


Ahmed al-Mirghani
أحمد الميرغني
6th President of Sudan
In office
6 May 1986 – 30 June 1989
Prime MinisterSadiq al-Mahdi
Vice President
  • First Vice President
  • Abd al-Rahman Saeed
  • Second Vice President
    Vacant
Preceded byAbdel Rahman Swar al-Dahab
Succeeded byOmar al-Bashir
Personal details
Born(1941-08-16)16 August 1941
Khartoum North, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
Died2 November 2008(2008-11-02) (aged 67)
Alexandria, Egypt
Political partyDemocratic Unionist Party
Children3
EducationUniversity of Khartoum
OccupationPolitician
ReligionSunni Islam

Despite the Second Sudanese Civil War that happened during Mirghani's presidency, the violence only occurred in the rebelling south as in the north, it was very peaceful and prosperous. Mirghani was the first ever democratically elected president of Sudan. He also tried to put an end to the civil war but then he was overthrown. However, Bashir, who succeeded Mirghani as President in 1993 successfully put an end to the civil war in 2005.

Mirghani died on 2 November 2008 in Alexandria, Egypt at the age of 67. His funereal was attended my his family and friends including President Bashir to pay respect to him. Mirghani became a well respected person by the Sudanese people that Bashir eventually gave him the title of "Martyr of Peace".