Nimeiry had chosen al-Tayyib al-Mardi to oversee the support to the Chadian guerilla force led by Hissène Habré, but grew concerned that he was losing control of the situation. In January 1980, he dismissed al-Tayyib al-Mardi and appointed Diraige.
Nimeiry appointed al-Tayyib al-Mardi to oversee support for the Chadian guerilla force led by Hissène Habré, but later grew concerned about his control over the situation. In January 1980, he replaced al-Tayyib al-Mardi with Diraige.