Sa'id Pasha abolishes slavery in Egypt

Background. Mohamed Sa'id Pasha served as the Wāli of Egypt from 1854 to 1863, exercising virtual independence while owing fealty to the Ottoman sultan. His reign was marked by European influence, including concessions for the Suez Canal and banking establishments. Facing European pressure to abolish official Egyptian slave raids in the Sudan, he issued a decree banning those raids.

The Decree. Facing European pressure to abolish official Egyptian slave raids in the Sudan, Sa'id issued a decree banning these raids. This action was a specific response to diplomatic demands rather than a total abolition of slavery in Egypt. Slavery in Egypt continued to be practised until the early 20th century, with the slave trade being banned later in the late 19th century.

Reign Context. Sa'id's reign involved significant concessions, such as the 1854 grant to Ferdinand de Lesseps for the Suez Canal and the establishment of the Bank of Egypt. The later part of his reign brought European intervention deeply into Egyptian finances and development, leading to the British occupation of Egypt shortly thereafter. The decree against slave raids occurred within this broader framework of European influence during his rule.