In memory of Peter Everington

Peter Everington (1934–2025)
The Britishman that fell in love with the Sudan
By: Barry Elbashir

Peter Everington, a devoted British educator and lifelong friend of Sudan, passed away on 14 May 2025. His journey with Sudan began in the late 1950s, shortly after the country gained independence, when he accepted a teaching post that would shape the rest of his life. Over the next six decades, Peter made 25 return visits to Sudan, nurturing deep bonds with its people and culture. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to education, he was awarded the Order of the Two Niles, First Class, by the Sudanese government in 1996.

Born in Hertfordshire, Peter’s father was a lawyer, and his mother instilled in him a strong moral compass and the seeds of a strong Christian faith. In due course that faith became a guiding force. A period of deep personal reflection on the eve of his university studies led him to believe that God had a plan for humanity, and that he had a role to play in it. This conviction led him to join the Moral Re-Armament (MRA) movement. later known as Initiatives of Change, which profoundly shaped his worldview, challenging his early prejudices and expanding his understanding of other cultures.
A gifted student, Peter studied Classics at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he formed lasting friendships with students from the Middle East and Africa. Disturbed by Britain’s 1956 invasion of Egypt during the Suez Crisis, he sought ways to rebuild trust and understanding. Inspired by what he perceived to be God’s calling, he switched to Arabic for his final year of study.

In 1958, shortly before graduation, Peter met Sudan’s Ambassador to the UK, Mr. Awad Satti, who spoke to him about the urgent need for English language teachers in Sudan following the enrolment of many Sudanese teachers in the civil service. Peter passed the job interview at the Sudanese embassy and was offered a five-year teaching contract. Before departing, he volunteered at the MRA’s conference centre in Switzerland, where he met Sudanese leaders including Buth Diu (Minister of Works); Daud Abdel Latif (Governor of Kassala Province); and Mohammed Salih Shangitti (Speaker of Parliament). Witnessing Buth Diu’s public apology during the conference for his hatred of the Arab North was a transformative moment for Peter, sparking a lifelong commitment to reconciliation and unity.

From 1958 to 1963, Peter taught English in Port Sudan and Khartoum Boys Secondary Schools, with shorter assignments in Wad Medani, El Obeid, Aroma, and Wau. He spent the following 3 years as a lecturer at the Higher Teacher Training Institute in Omdurman, helping to shape the next generation of Sudanese educators.

Peter had a passion for photography and travel. During school breaks, he explored Sudan and its neighboring countries, capturing vivid moments with his camera. These experiences were later chronicled in his book, Watch Your Steps, Khawaja! [1]

Peter’s friendships spanned all levels of Sudanese society, from Imam Alhadi Almahdi, leader of the country’s largest religious group, to Mohammed Hassan, a school staff member in Khartoum Secondary School. He treated everyone with equal respect and humility. In later years, he would introduce himself to members of the Sudanese diaspora in Britain with a simple phrase: “Hi, I’m Peter, and I was an English teacher in Sudan.”

I first met Peter at his London book launch in 2018. Not long after, he warmly invited me to his home for tea. We spoke at length about Sudan, its past, present, and complexities. He listened with genuine curiosity and was immediately enthusiastic about my idea to make his book freely accessible online. Working closely with Peter on the book digitisation project was more than just a collaboration; it was a window into his remarkable character, his kindness, intellect, and quiet determination of doing the right things. These are qualities I came to deeply admire, and ones I already find myself missing.

His commitment to Sudan extended far beyond the classroom. Peter played a quiet but influential role in peacebuilding efforts during some of the country’s most turbulent times. He worked behind the scenes to foster dialogue and reconciliation between the Muslim north and Christian south, contributing to the peace process that culminated in the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement, which ended the First Sudanese Civil War.

Peter’s legacy lives on in the memories of the students he taught, the friendships he nurtured, and the bridges he built between the north and the south of Sudan. His life was a testament to the power of humility, service, and enduring human connections.