Sudan Timeline By alexalansang 1820 Egypt conquers northern parts of Sudan 1954 Ismail al-Azhari served as the first prime minister of Sudan Period: 1955 to 1972 First Sudanese Civil War started Jan 1, 1956 Independence is granted to Sudan as a single unified nation 1962 Civil war spread to Southern Sudan with the ascendance of the Anyanya separatist movement May 20, 1970 The current flag of Sudan was adopted 1978 Oil was discovered in Bentiu Period: 1983 to 2005 Second Sudanese Civil War 2001 Egypt and Libya proposed a peace plan for Sudan 2002 The Machakos Protocol ended the nineteen year Civil War Nov 1, 2005 WFSS ( Water for South Sudan ) drilled its first well in South Sudan 2011 Sudan split into Southern Sudan and Sudan after the people of South Sudan voted for independence. Jul 9, 2011 South Sudans flag was adopted