Editing Sadiq al-Mahdi (section)

===In the opposition (1967–1986)===
{{More information|1976 Sudanese coup attempt|National Reconciliation (Sudan)}}
[[Jaafar Nimeiry]] took power in Sudan through [[1969 Sudanese coup d'état|a coup on 25 May 1969]].  After the attack on [[Aba Island]] in March 1970,<ref name=":0" /> Sadiq was imprisoned repeatedly by Nimeiry, finally going into exile in 1974.<ref name="madridbio" />  From abroad, Sadiq formed an opposition organization known as the [[National Front (Sudan)|National Front]].  In 1977, Sadiq and Nimeiry [[National Reconciliation (Sudan)|negotiated an agreement]] that freed 1,000 political prisoners, granted amnesty to Sadiq, allowed nonpartisan opposition candidates in Parliament, and planned further democratic reforms. Sadiq then returned and started forming an opposition to Nimeiry's [[Sudanese Socialist Union]].<ref name=":0" />