Egypt-Sudan

Even before the Crimean War, during which Britain took the side of the Ottoman Turks against Russia, the British had developed friendly relations with some Ottoman rulers, particularly Mehemet Ali, who had taken control of Egypt and the Sudan, and allowed the British to run a transportation line (P.& O.) from Alexandria to the Red Sea, to facilitate travel to India. Unfortunately, Mehemet’s successors did not govern as ably as he did, and relied on Britain and other European powers provide advice on modernization, and to bail them out of financial trouble. The Suez canal was begun with the aid of the French, but through diplomacy and other shenanigans, Britain ended up controlling an minority share. Soon after the opening of the canal, Britain was called upon to help put down Arabi's Rebellion against the Egyptian government, and at the Battle of Tel-el-kebir drove the rebel leader into exile. By this point Britain was no longer playing merely an "advisory" role in Egypt, but by assuming control of both the finances of the Egyptian government, and also the military, it was in effect, although not in name, ruling the region.

Meanwhile the great British military hero Charles Gordon, who had already distinguished himself by his valiant service in China and Britain, was appointed Governor of Sudan, a region where slavery was still rife, and the natives were severely oppressed by warlords, bandits, and Moslem slavers. Gordon worked ceaselessly for five years to improve the condition of the natives, and returned to Britain in 1879, exhausted. Shortly after Gordon left Sudan a rebellion broke out, lead by the Mahdi, a fanatical Moslem warlord. Within a few years he controlled much of Sudan, and murdered and enslaved those who opposed him. In 1884, when Gordon heard that Khartoum, the capital of Sudan was threatened, he returned to help defend the city and urged the British government to send a relief party. The relief party however, after many delays, arrived too late, and Gordon was killed when the city of Khartoum was taken. It was not until 13 years later, that this disgrace was avenged by Horatio Kitchener, hero of the Soudan Campaign at the Battle of Omdurman, and the Mahdists finally driven out of Sudan. Egypt and Sudan continued under British protection until finally becoming an official colony after the Great War.

(http://www.heritage-history.com/www/heritage.php?Dir=eras&FileName=britain_13.php