At independence in 1956, the army was considered "a highly trained, competent, and apolitical force," but its character changed in the following years. After independence, the army – and educated officers – lost much of their former political standing. Soldiers became associated with parties and movements of various political stripes. The result was a series of partisan-ideological military coups. Successive military governments strengthened the army's political and economic position, but the army gradually began to lose its professionalism due to political crises and the involvement of officers in politics and even economic activity. However, we find that the Sudanese army has fought four internal civil wars (in the South, Darfur). This has increased the army's political power.

The army's relationship with political power. In the post-independence period, we find that the army entered the political arena and formed four governments, the last of which came in the October 2021 coup. These political roles have a significant impact on the army's combat doctrine and strategies. We find it focuses on building internal, regional, and international alliances to maintain its control over power, and this negatively reflects on Sudan's military strategic situation in its neighborhood.

This is a summary of civilian and military governments:

1. The First Civilian Government (1956-1958) An election was held, resulting in the formation of a democratic parliament, and Ismail al-Azhari was elected the first Prime Minister and led the first modern Sudanese government. On January 1, 1956, in a special ceremony, the Egyptian and British flags were lowered and replaced by the Sudanese flag, composed of green, blue, and yellow stripes.

2. The Abboud Military Government (1958-1964) (The First Military Government) (6 years) The coup removed political decision-making from civilian control. The coup came at the initiative of the civilians themselves in power, and with the approval of the two largest blocs in parliament, the Ansar and the Khatmiyya. Abboud established the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to rule Sudan. This body included officers belonging to the Ansar and the Khatmiyya.

3. Return to Civilian Rule (1964-1969) (The Second Civilian Government) (5 years) A revolution occurred in October 1964, overthrowing the Abboud regime. The new civilian government, operating under the transitional constitution of 1956, attempted to end political divisions by forming a coalition government that was weak and quarrelsome.

4. The May Regime (1969-1985) (The Second Military Government) (16 years)