The Anglo-Egyptian Condominium treaty is finalised between Britain and Egypt, in which they agree to joint control over Sudan. Nearly 60 years will pass before the independent Republic of Sudan is declared on 1 January 1956.

The King Fuad I Edition of the Qur’an is published, at Egypt’s Al-Azhar University. Work began on the so-called “Cairo Qur’an" in 1907.  Immediately popular because it is easy to recite, its acceptance by both Sunni and Shi’a Muslims will make the work "the official text of the Qur’an.”

South Africa’s parliament is now all-white, as the Representation of Blacks Act goes into effect. Black South Africans are removed from the voting rolls in Cape Province, the last place blacks are allowed to vote. Now the interests of South Africa’s black majority will be represented in parliament by four white Senators.

The Italian invasion of Kenya during World War II advances to the watering holes at Buna and Dabel, 100 km from the border. Lack of supplies prevent Italian troops from moving further.

The first dedicated television building built in North Africa or the Arab World/Middle East is ready for its official opening when television broadcasts begin in Egypt the giant complex's studios on 21 July.  Critics condemn the Maspero Television building as “exceptionally ugly,” but will become a landmark on the banks of the Nile River.

Rebel leaders of Morocco’s military attempt a coup d’état by attacking the 42nd birthday party of King Hassan II at his summer palace in Skhirat. During the 2 ½-hour gun battle, 90 guests are killed, including the Belgian ambassador. Among the rebel attackers, 100 are killed. Hassan avoids assassination by hiding in a closet.

The opening of the 19 May 1956 Stadium in Annaba, Algeria. Named after the date of a national students’ strike that was a milestone on Algeria’s road to independence, the 60,000-seat stadium will host several international sporting events.

U.S. President George Bush lifts some sanctions on South Africa as progress is made toward dismantling apartheid. State and local sanctions remain, as does the arms embargo. U.S. direct assistance to black South Africans will double from US$40 million to US$80 million. Also today, the International Cricket Council grants full membership to the United Cricket Board of South Africa.

In Togo, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan opens the Heads of State summit of the Organisation of African Unity. Concerned over the number of coups d’état that are destabalising African countries, the conference produces the Lomé Declaration that calls for a shared set of democratic values continentally.

West Africa's Gulf of Guinea is now the world's most dangerous spot for piracy, reports the International Maritime Bureau in its mid-year piracy report: 73% of all kidnappings at sea and 92% of hostage-takings during the first half of this year occurred off the coasts of Nigeria, Togo, Cameroon, Guinea and Benin. (pic: by international law cargo ships cannot carry any weapons, and crews must fight armed pirates with water hoses)