The Southern Sudan Autonomous Region was an autonomous region that existed in southern Sudan between 1972 and 1983.[1] It was established on 28 February 1972 by the Addis Ababa Agreement which ended the First Sudanese Civil War.[2] The region was abolished on 5 June 1983 by the administration of Sudanese President Gaafar Nimeiry.[3] Revocation of southern autonomy was one of the causes of the Second Sudanese Civil War which would continue until January 2005, when southern autonomy was restored; the region became the independent Republic of South Sudan in 2011.
Southern Sudan was governed by a High Executive Council which was led by a President of the High Executive Council. Abel Alier was the first President, holding that post between 1972 and 1978.
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Legislative authority was vested in a People's Regional Assembly.
The autonomous region consisted of the three provinces of Equatoria, Bahr al-Ghazal, and Greater Upper Nile. Juba was the regional capital.
The Southern Sudan Autonomous Region was abolished in 1983. Between 1987 and 1989 a Council for the South existed in Southern Sudan. Following the signing of the Khartoum Peace Agreement of 1997, a Southern Sudan Coordination Council was established initially led by Riek Machar who was also appointed Assistant to the President of the Republic.[4] This body was abolished in 2005 when the Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan was established.[5]