Al-Burhan’s Messages: The Victor Determines the Course of the Political Process

Report by Tilal Ismail

Against the backdrop of military operations, there are hints on the horizon of the end of the war that erupted in mid-April last year, as negotiations between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia face obstacles and challenges that hinder their continuation.
Following the Sudanese army’s progress on several military fronts, the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, stated that no political process in the country could be discussed until the rebellion facing the State is ended. He was addressing officers and soldiers in Sennar, saying, “From today onwards, there is no government to rule over the corpses of the Sudanese, and the solution to problems lies within, not outside.”
He continued, “Our message to the disillusioned politicians and those who incite the rebels by pressuring the army is that the armed forces and citizens will not be broken or defeated.” He confirmed everyone’s solidarity in defeating and eradicating the rebellion.
He explained that signs of victory and the end of this rebellion have begun to appear on the horizon, affirming that justice will prevail.
Al-Burhan’s statements coincided with the postponement of meetings of the head of the Political and Civilian Forces Alliance, chaired by Abdullah Hamdouk, with the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit. A delegation from the Alliance, including Babiker Faisal, Al-Wathiq Al-Birair, Butheina Dinar, Jumaa Kunda, Ibrahim Arbab, and Sulaiman Sandal, arrived in Juba. At the same time, Hamdouk was absent from the visit due to a sudden health issue.
On Tuesday, Al-Burhan said from Kassala State, “Any negotiation will not satisfy the Sudanese people unless it is based on strong and solid foundations that preserve the dignity and honour of the Sudanese people. Civilian properties and citizens’ homes must be evicted, and the looted stuff must be returned.”
He added, “We support negotiations that preserve the rights of citizens.”
He called on politicians to seek solutions from within the country and not from outside, emphasising that any external initiative, such as the one by IGAD, does not concern the Sudanese people because it is not interested in Sudanese affairs.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces stressed that the solution and negotiations lie within Sudan, and they will not travel abroad to meet anyone. “Any meeting will take place within the country. This is my message to Hamdouk and those with him.”
The democratic forces coalition (known as “Tagadum”) responded by stating that it is awaiting the fixing of the time and place for a meeting with Al-Burhan.
They confirmed that nothing prevents a meeting between Al-Burhan and the Tagadum in Port Sudan.
Political Blocs’ Disagreements
Juba has not succeeded in bringing together two Sudanese political blocs while leaders from both are present in the city.
On Thursday, leaders from the Freedom and Change Forces (FCF) arrived in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, for consultations on resolving the Sudanese crisis.
The official spokesperson for the FCF, Aaliyah Abouna, said that coalition leaders had arrived in Juba in preparation for political consultations with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
The consultations focus on ending the war and achieving comprehensive peace in Sudan.
She added, “It is not in our plans to hold joint sessions with the Tagadum bloc, led by Abdullah Hamdouk.”
Formation of a New Government
In the context of the Sudanese army’s victory on several fronts and the failure of the Rapid Support Forces militia to achieve any victories on the ground or change the political equation, General Yasser Al-Atta, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, stated that the Sudanese army is advancing on all operational fronts with the aim of liberating Khartoum and Wad Medani before moving on to Kordofan and Darfur to eliminate the RSF and impose security and stability in the country.
He affirmed, “We are in the final stage of eliminating the RSF, and its collapse is imminent.”
Al-Atta told Al-Jazeera Net that the formation of the new government is contingent on the progress of military operations on the ground. A new government will be announced if significant progress is made, as expected with the liberation of Khartoum and Gezira.
He added, “The government’s tasks and specialities during and after the war differ. Therefore, the President of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, may need to dismiss one person and appoint another. After the country is liberated from the rebellion, we need a reconstruction government because the level of destruction that has affected the country is immense.”