- 5 -And the harm from negligence in Sudan is undoubtedly real, as our independence will have no slightest value in the future, inwardly or outwardly. If the reins of the Nile are in the hands of an unfriendly power, then Sudan is the head, and if it is severed, Egypt will be a lifeless body thereafter. We do not exaggerate if we say that it is more essential to us than Egypt itself, to the extent that we would not accept the Sudanese to be independent of us and diminished from us. The borders of Sudan to the south, during the time of Khedive Ismail, reached Lake Victoria Nyanza. In 1870 AD, he sent a military expedition to follow up on the Equatorial Province under the command of Sir Samuel Baker. It carried out its mission and established military posts on the course of the Nile. The furthest post was towards Foweira, between Lakes Albert Nyanza and Victoria Nyanza. In 1870 AD, General Gordon was sent as governor of the Equatorial Province, succeeding Sir Samuel Baker. He extended the military posts to Lake Victoria Nyanza, until the last Egyptian military post to the south was at Rejaf Falls, at the source of the Nile from that lake. The Egyptian flag was realized there, and it was the first official flag of a regular government to be established in this region.