RIBBLESDALE

Al-Zubayr Rahma Mansur Pasha (c. 1830-1913), also known as Zebehr Pasha was a Sudanese slave trader and warlord in the late 19th century. He was later acknowledged by Isma'il Pasha, of the Khedivate of Egypt in granting him the title of Governor over Bahr el Ghazal (today western South Sudan). In 1877, General Gordon arrived as the newly appointed Governor of the Sudan, and sought to suppress the slave trade. Prior to his 1878 departure to Cairo, where he intended to bribe other pashas with approximately £100,000 to recognise his sovereignty, Rahma had gathered his chiefs under a tree between Shaka and Obeid where they agreed that if the plan failed, they would go to arms! to the road!. He was detained by Egyptian forces for his attempts at bribery and refused permission to return to the Sudan. He messaged General Gordon, offering £25,000 annually to the Khedive, and to restore order within the Sudan, if only he would be allowed to return. Gordon declined the offer. In 1884, Gordon offered the imprisoned Rahma leadership of the entire Sudan, in addition to his freedom if he would help the British keep the forces of Muhammad Ahmad at bay. The following month, Gordon astonished Europe by recommending Rahma to be named his successor as Governor of Sudan.Eventually, Queen Victoria, Sir Evelyn Baring, William Ewart Gladstone and Nubar Pasha in Cairo, all agreed to allow Rahma the title, but the order was rescinded by the British government, upset with Rahma's slave-raiding practises. Nevertheless, he was put in charge of all the Black African forces. In March 1885, he was removed from command and imprisoned at Gibraltar, when British forces suspected that he might have negotiated fealty to Ahmad, the false prophet, based on alleged correspondence between them.