The ambitions of British policy in Sudan The British sent their agents to serve the Egyptian government in Sudan, and Ismail Pasha, who was keen to use their services, gave them unlimited powers. They were sent to the provinces of Bahr al-Ghazal and Equatoria, and the Egyptian officials were given unlimited powers. They used the law against slavery to anger the Sudanese, who used slaves in their trade and large businesses. They treated people with great severity, resorting to killing, imprisonment, and confiscation of property, in implementation of the treaty concluded between Ismail Pasha and England regarding the abolition of slavery. However, the British were lenient with the remaining slave owners in their properties. This leniency was not applied to the rest of the Sudanese, and the British, in addition to what has been mentioned, also discriminated against tribes. They exempted the Shaigiya tribe from taxes, which angered other tribes. They also favored the followers of the Mirghaniyya Sufi order over other orders, creating animosity between the followers of the orders. This led to the rise of the Mahdi, and the Mahdi's followers, who were numerous in Sudan, grew very strong. From the time of the Sudan's occupation until today, the Mahdi and his followers have become a formidable force. The British, who were serving their policies, were preoccupied with the Arab revolts that were occurring and being incited by their agents, such as the Siamese era and others. Consequently, the Egyptian government's attention shifted from Sudan to the occupation of the country by the British.