the only way to end the British domination in Sudan was for Egypt itself to officially abandon its sovereignty over Sudan. Since the British claim to control in Sudan theoretically depended upon Egyptian sovereignty, the revolutionaries calculated that this tactic would leave the UK with no option but to withdraw. In addition, Nasser had known for some time that it would be problematic for Egypt to govern the impoverished Sudan. Transition to independence In 1943 a North Sudan Advisory Council was established bringing a level of self-governance to the northern provinces of Anglo Egyptian Sudan. At a conference held in Juba in 1947, it was decided to integrate the administration of the southern provinces with those of the north. Thirteen appointed representatives from the southern provinces took up seats in the Sudan Legislative Assembly in 1948. In February 1953 an agreement was reached between Egypt, the United Kingdom and Sudanese political representatives for a transition from condominium rule to self-government. Sudan was granted self-government in March 1953 and Ismail al-Azhari became Chief Minister in 1954. A constituent assembly was formed and a transitional constitution was drafted. Sudanese representatives would be able to participate in the Afro-Asian Conference planned for April 1955. In October 1954, the governments of Egypt and the UK signed a treaty that would grant Sudan independence on 1 January 1956. Sudan become an independent sovereign state, the Republic of the Sudan, 1 January 1956, bringing to an end its nearly 136-year union with Egypt and its 56-year occupation by the British. Provinces Anglo-Egyptian Sudan was divided into eight provinces, which were ambiguous when created but became well defined by the beginning of World War II. The eight provinces were: Blue Nile, Darfur, Equatoria, Kassala, Khartoum, Kurdufan, Northern, and Upper Nile. In 1948, Bahr al Ghazal split from Equatoria. Office holders Governors List of governors of pre-independence Sudan Chief Justices 1903–1917 Wasey Sterry (until 1915 Chief Judge) 1917–1926 Robert Hay Dun 1926–1930 Sir Bernard Humphrey Bell 1930?–1936? Howell Owen 1936–1941 Thomas Percival Creed 1941–1944 Sir Hubert Flaxman 1944–1946 Cecil Harry Andrew Bennett 1946–1947 Sir Charles Cecil George Cumings 1947–1950 Thomas Arthur Maclagan 1950–1955 William O'Brien Lindsay 1955–1964 Mohamed Ahmed Abu Rannat Chief Ministers 1952-1954 Abd al-Rahman al-Mahdi 1954-1956 Ismail al-Azhari See also Anglo-Egyptian conquest of Sudan Sudan–United Kingdom relations References External links States and territories established in 1899 Sudan, angloegyptian History of Sudan History of South Sudan Egypt–United