<P> Sudan relied on a variety of countries for its arms supplies . Following independence, the army was trained and supplied by the British . However, after the 1967 Six - Day War, relations were cut off, as were relations with the United States and West Germany . </P> <P> From 1968 to 1972, the Soviet Union and COMECON nations sold large numbers of weapons and provided technical assistance and training to Sudan . At this time the army grew from a strength of 18,000 to roughly 50,000 men . Large numbers of tanks, aircraft, and artillery were acquired, and they dominated the army until the late 1980s . </P> <P> Relations cooled between the two sides after the coup in 1972, and the Khartoum government sought to diversify its suppliers . The Soviet Union continued to supply weapons until 1977, when their support of Marxist elements in Ethiopia angered the Sudanese sufficiently to cancel their deals . The People's Republic of China was the main supplier in the late 1970s . </P> <P> Egypt was the most important military partner in the 1970s, providing missiles, personnel carriers, and other military hardware . At the same time military cooperation between the two countries was important . </P>

What was the cause of the sudanese civil war