1988 Sudanese Plebiscite (New Horizons)

A national plebiscite was held on 2 May 1988 to determine the political future of the nation. It was de iure a national referendum, however various experts described it as a camoufaged presidential election to legitimize the presidency of Dafallah Al-Jazuli. The State Governing Council, established in 1965 under Sirr Al-Khalifa, considered the mission of the National Movement to contain the spread of communism in sub-saharian Africa as completed, and organized a process to return to democracy. Under the NM rule, several social and economic advancements were made, lifting Sudan from poverty and bringing it to one of the most rich and advanced nations in the continent.

The Council proposed two choices; if the plebiscite passed, Al-Jazuli would serve for another seven-year term as President until 1995, when free elections would be held; it also included legislative election for the newly-formed House of Assembly which contained 850 seats, in March 1989. In these, more parties would be allowed to contest the elections. It also proposed the creation of a federal state with a special autonomy status for South Sudan. No clear directives were given to the public if the referendum failed to pass, but speculation assumed Al-Jazuli would serve until 1991 when a new presidential election would be held.

The proposals amended were all approved by the public with an overall 53.94% of the voting. After the plebiscite, the South Sudan Liberation Front surrendered on July 1988 due to the wish for autonomy being respected by Khartoum.